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Inner Expanses
Every night is a bloody battle to the death.
In a violent realm where monsters of all shapes and sizes rend each other limb from limb, one finds a way to alter this brutal tradition. Gathering his wits and steeling himself to face an eldritch threat with dimension-altering power, Yarut, a stone-skinned swordsman, bands together with some fellow fiends to embark on a bizarre and deadly journey through vivid, vicious lands that are full of deep, dark secrets.
In another dimension, one much like our own, this bloodshed goes unnoticed as Jim Lobe, an aging man down on his luck, struggles to find meaning in life. His mind is plagued by the happenings of another world, which affects his decisions in negative and unpredictable ways, but soon he finds hope. He follows a glimmer along a dark path and chases his desire for a better life. Though, unknown to Jim, his destiny lies within the tentacles of the same eldritch threat oppressing Yarut and the others in the realm of nightly battles.
Two worlds push and pull one another through the fabric of reality. The space beyond and between realms get twisted and manipulated by a Dark God with ill intent.
Will Yarut's and Jim's adventures lead to death or salvation? Only those brave enough to enter the Inner Expanses will find out...
In a violent realm where monsters of all shapes and sizes rend each other limb from limb, one finds a way to alter this brutal tradition. Gathering his wits and steeling himself to face an eldritch threat with dimension-altering power, Yarut, a stone-skinned swordsman, bands together with some fellow fiends to embark on a bizarre and deadly journey through vivid, vicious lands that are full of deep, dark secrets.
In another dimension, one much like our own, this bloodshed goes unnoticed as Jim Lobe, an aging man down on his luck, struggles to find meaning in life. His mind is plagued by the happenings of another world, which affects his decisions in negative and unpredictable ways, but soon he finds hope. He follows a glimmer along a dark path and chases his desire for a better life. Though, unknown to Jim, his destiny lies within the tentacles of the same eldritch threat oppressing Yarut and the others in the realm of nightly battles.
Two worlds push and pull one another through the fabric of reality. The space beyond and between realms get twisted and manipulated by a Dark God with ill intent.
Will Yarut's and Jim's adventures lead to death or salvation? Only those brave enough to enter the Inner Expanses will find out...
374 pages, ebook
First published March 3, 2020
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Reyadh Rahaman
2 books21 followersA fiend who bleeds tales from his fingertips more than he writes them.
Scribes stories of speculative fiction: fantasy, horror, and science fiction.
Also writes poetry for fun, but is not a poet; just a demon whispering rhythmic incantations.
---
Un monstre qui saigne les contes par des bout des doigts plus qu'il ne les écris.
Scrit des histoires de fiction spéculative: fantasy, horreur, et science-fiction.
Écrit aussi de la poésie pour le plaisir, mais n'est pas un poëte; juste un démon qui chuchote des incantations rythmées.
Scribes stories of speculative fiction: fantasy, horror, and science fiction.
Also writes poetry for fun, but is not a poet; just a demon whispering rhythmic incantations.
---
Un monstre qui saigne les contes par des bout des doigts plus qu'il ne les écris.
Scrit des histoires de fiction spéculative: fantasy, horreur, et science-fiction.
Écrit aussi de la poésie pour le plaisir, mais n'est pas un poëte; juste un démon qui chuchote des incantations rythmées.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 15, 2020
Absolutely, Out of this World Astounding
I'm in tears as I write this. The author's voice in this piece of art is amazing, and I was brought on a journey of emotion the entire time. I was so invested in these characters and worlds, I wanted them to come through. The world building and descriptions were able to paint a perfect picture in my mind.
That being said, BELOW ARE NOW SPOILERS. I WANT TO GO INTO SPECIFIC REACTIONS!
First... Fornus, noooooo! That one hurt so much. I had tears pouring from my eyes. THIS is the proper way to kill a beloved character. I was distraught but his death was so noble--so ironic considering he is a demon of horror in Jim Lobe's world.
I'll get to Jim in a bit. I want to mention one character that had a really impressive arc--Basil. SO many ups and downs with him! I was curious, hated him, curious again, hated him again. He had such an asshole attitude--yet that wonderful lizard came through. I gasped aloud when he saved Yarut! And he was so dismissive but you could tell he did so intentionally.
Speaking of Yarut, he is a very likable protagonist. I enjoyed him quite a bit. Varjo was awesome comic relief at the same time as someone I could take seriously.
At first I really didn't like Jim. He was boring and I was more interested in the "monsters". I really hated him when it seemed like he wasn't going to apologize to Claudia, but realized he didn't need to and so I hated him less. Then he listened to his peers and his arc began to develop. His care for animals made me like him more, but the final thing that made me really proud of him was that he DIDN'T stick up for Amy. I was holding my breath during those parts. But she did something beyond horrible knowingly with those cultists--and Jim moved on. He took care of that defenseless animal as well.
Anamo and the wizard were wonderful. Love the designs and magic quite a bit.
Finally, Cortex and the cultists as antagonists were golden. I'm happy they were defeated in the end. I also like how the events in the worlds seemed to parallel.
I think Yarut represents Jim's life transition to the better. Him gaining The Control changed everything--and it seems like Jim's life did too. I think this is all in Jim's mind perhaps, dimensions in it. I wonder if the heroes that look like monsters can ever escape that and travel or meet Jim.
Immortalizing the fallen in stone was also very wonderful.
All in all, 5 stars. Wonderful designs, likeable characters, emotional arcs, and hateable antagonists.
I'm in tears as I write this. The author's voice in this piece of art is amazing, and I was brought on a journey of emotion the entire time. I was so invested in these characters and worlds, I wanted them to come through. The world building and descriptions were able to paint a perfect picture in my mind.
That being said, BELOW ARE NOW SPOILERS. I WANT TO GO INTO SPECIFIC REACTIONS!
First... Fornus, noooooo! That one hurt so much. I had tears pouring from my eyes. THIS is the proper way to kill a beloved character. I was distraught but his death was so noble--so ironic considering he is a demon of horror in Jim Lobe's world.
I'll get to Jim in a bit. I want to mention one character that had a really impressive arc--Basil. SO many ups and downs with him! I was curious, hated him, curious again, hated him again. He had such an asshole attitude--yet that wonderful lizard came through. I gasped aloud when he saved Yarut! And he was so dismissive but you could tell he did so intentionally.
Speaking of Yarut, he is a very likable protagonist. I enjoyed him quite a bit. Varjo was awesome comic relief at the same time as someone I could take seriously.
At first I really didn't like Jim. He was boring and I was more interested in the "monsters". I really hated him when it seemed like he wasn't going to apologize to Claudia, but realized he didn't need to and so I hated him less. Then he listened to his peers and his arc began to develop. His care for animals made me like him more, but the final thing that made me really proud of him was that he DIDN'T stick up for Amy. I was holding my breath during those parts. But she did something beyond horrible knowingly with those cultists--and Jim moved on. He took care of that defenseless animal as well.
Anamo and the wizard were wonderful. Love the designs and magic quite a bit.
Finally, Cortex and the cultists as antagonists were golden. I'm happy they were defeated in the end. I also like how the events in the worlds seemed to parallel.
I think Yarut represents Jim's life transition to the better. Him gaining The Control changed everything--and it seems like Jim's life did too. I think this is all in Jim's mind perhaps, dimensions in it. I wonder if the heroes that look like monsters can ever escape that and travel or meet Jim.
Immortalizing the fallen in stone was also very wonderful.
All in all, 5 stars. Wonderful designs, likeable characters, emotional arcs, and hateable antagonists.
October 24, 2020
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Inner Expanses
As you read Inner Expanses you are drawn into two different worlds. In one, Jim Lobe is struggling to make it through each day battling depression. In the other, a variety of monsters are fighting each day to gain what is called The Control. The two storylines feed off of each other at first as the struggles of each seem to coincide. However, as the book continues the two worlds divide and lead the reader into following two very different stories. There are hints across each that the other world exists, but I would have liked to see more of a connection between Jim Lobe’s storyline and the monsters before certain plot points were revealed.
Reyadh Rahaman has a talent for writing creative and engaging battle scenes. Each time the monsters went head to head in their continuous battles, I never knew what to expect. There is such a variety of creatures that it was hard for me to remember all of their descriptions, but have no doubt that each one is as gruesome as their abilities. And be prepared for the dark fantasy side to come out in these battles as the monsters show no mercy when provoked.
There are deeper themes at play that start to surface as you journey with Jim and the monsters. Questions of purpose and how to overcome life’s boundaries. At times the philosophical side was drawn out, but it served a purpose as the monsters began to evolve their mindsets. I found that Jim’s story wasn’t as interesting as the monsters, but he still made bold choices and his journey took some unexpected turns. If you are a fan of stories where you put the pieces together as you read, then you will enjoy Inner Expanses.
As you read Inner Expanses you are drawn into two different worlds. In one, Jim Lobe is struggling to make it through each day battling depression. In the other, a variety of monsters are fighting each day to gain what is called The Control. The two storylines feed off of each other at first as the struggles of each seem to coincide. However, as the book continues the two worlds divide and lead the reader into following two very different stories. There are hints across each that the other world exists, but I would have liked to see more of a connection between Jim Lobe’s storyline and the monsters before certain plot points were revealed.
Reyadh Rahaman has a talent for writing creative and engaging battle scenes. Each time the monsters went head to head in their continuous battles, I never knew what to expect. There is such a variety of creatures that it was hard for me to remember all of their descriptions, but have no doubt that each one is as gruesome as their abilities. And be prepared for the dark fantasy side to come out in these battles as the monsters show no mercy when provoked.
There are deeper themes at play that start to surface as you journey with Jim and the monsters. Questions of purpose and how to overcome life’s boundaries. At times the philosophical side was drawn out, but it served a purpose as the monsters began to evolve their mindsets. I found that Jim’s story wasn’t as interesting as the monsters, but he still made bold choices and his journey took some unexpected turns. If you are a fan of stories where you put the pieces together as you read, then you will enjoy Inner Expanses.
July 24, 2020
Inner Expanse is an interesting and engaging look into two worlds. One is the world of a man named Jim Lobe a in the throes of midlife crisis who could tetter either way and fall over the edge into oblivion or find a new path and make something worthwhile out his life. This character starts out as totally unsympathetic character who at times I literally want to yell at. Yet as the story develops he goes through a metamorphosis after exposing some of the most loathsome of humanity.
This character was written so well I had no problem in visualizing him and the world he inhabited which was in some ways much like our modern day world.
The second world was inhabited by what I originally thought of as monsters but in fact they were just other beings also looking for a better way of life from what starts out as one of brutal viciousness . Their variety and personalities were captivating in fact they emulated so many human characteristics on occasion I forgot their physical forms. The quest is not unlike Jim's in that they must overcome what seems like insurmountable odds, in a world where brute force and magic collide. The heroes of this story form an unlikely alliance laced with animosity, curiosity and wit. Their combined abilities shake the very foundation of the world they inhabit and after significant sacrifice they are able to turn their world into a community.
In all fairness to the writer this is not a genre I would normally read but it engages the mind and holds your imagination as it unravels the challenges of characters facing an existential crisis.
This character was written so well I had no problem in visualizing him and the world he inhabited which was in some ways much like our modern day world.
The second world was inhabited by what I originally thought of as monsters but in fact they were just other beings also looking for a better way of life from what starts out as one of brutal viciousness . Their variety and personalities were captivating in fact they emulated so many human characteristics on occasion I forgot their physical forms. The quest is not unlike Jim's in that they must overcome what seems like insurmountable odds, in a world where brute force and magic collide. The heroes of this story form an unlikely alliance laced with animosity, curiosity and wit. Their combined abilities shake the very foundation of the world they inhabit and after significant sacrifice they are able to turn their world into a community.
In all fairness to the writer this is not a genre I would normally read but it engages the mind and holds your imagination as it unravels the challenges of characters facing an existential crisis.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews