What do you think?
Rate this book
The Crown of Dreams #1
The Forgotten Sky
In a galaxy at the edge of imagination.
Six diverse characters share a strange dream: a figure composed only of shadow holding a pulsing red sun in its palm.
Ruled by six masked councilmembers, the Northrite corporation exploits the powers of Elemiscists—those with magical abilities—and keep them as indentured servants. When a nearby sun turns bloodred and begins pulsing, people flee their homes and the millennia-old government crumbles.
Together, a military recruit, a sheltered woman, a cunning slave, an environmental activist, a morbid bounty hunter, and a medieval knight hope to understand their shared vision. They fight for survival and against all odds struggle to curtail the rise of the Northrite corporation.
The fate of the galaxy will depend on these six people.
The Forgotten Sky is perfect for fans of Sci Fi Fantasy like Star Wars and Dune, and fantasies like A Game of Thrones and The Fifth Season.
Six diverse characters share a strange dream: a figure composed only of shadow holding a pulsing red sun in its palm.
Ruled by six masked councilmembers, the Northrite corporation exploits the powers of Elemiscists—those with magical abilities—and keep them as indentured servants. When a nearby sun turns bloodred and begins pulsing, people flee their homes and the millennia-old government crumbles.
Together, a military recruit, a sheltered woman, a cunning slave, an environmental activist, a morbid bounty hunter, and a medieval knight hope to understand their shared vision. They fight for survival and against all odds struggle to curtail the rise of the Northrite corporation.
The fate of the galaxy will depend on these six people.
The Forgotten Sky is perfect for fans of Sci Fi Fantasy like Star Wars and Dune, and fantasies like A Game of Thrones and The Fifth Season.
442 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2021
152 people are currently reading
825 people want to read
About the author
R.M. Schultz
33 books435 followersReceive a FREE R.M. Schultz best seller:
https://rmschultzauthor.com/landing-p...
R.M. Schultz is a #1 best-selling author of fantasy and science fiction.
After reading Tolkien, Ryan wrote his first 100,000-word fantasy novel as a freshman in high school. When he’s not saving animals, he continues reading and writing fantasy and science fiction, and has done so for over two decades. Ryan founded and heads the North Seattle Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Group and has published over a dozen novels.
And more than anything, he wants to be knighted by George R.R. Martin.
https://rmschultzauthor.com/landing-p...
R.M. Schultz is a #1 best-selling author of fantasy and science fiction.
After reading Tolkien, Ryan wrote his first 100,000-word fantasy novel as a freshman in high school. When he’s not saving animals, he continues reading and writing fantasy and science fiction, and has done so for over two decades. Ryan founded and heads the North Seattle Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Group and has published over a dozen novels.
And more than anything, he wants to be knighted by George R.R. Martin.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 1, 2021
In this epic adventure, R M Schultz skilfully weaves the elements of fantasy and science fiction to create a truly unique experience for the reader. The book is full of diverse and compelling characters, with human flaws and struggles, each pursuing their own cause. This Game of Thrones worthy ensemble is scattered around the galaxy, and the author does an excellent job of keeping you engaged as you’re exploring this vast world of vivid landscapes and curious happenings.
The story begins with Seeva, an animal-loving activist in pursuit of a poacher, and follows with a series of gut-wrenching events that touched me on an emotional level. The author continues in this fashion as we’re introduced to the mystery of the beating sun that’s become unstable, posing a threat to the surrounding planets. This alone made me want to read on and discover the reasons behind this ominous incident. With passages like this: ‘Towering buildings. A ghost city, weeds and gases blowing around like spirits. No lights. No people. No answers.’ it’s impossible to put the book down! R M Schultz allows you to experience the story through your senses, as you marvel at the intricate flora, fascinating creatures, and the complex relationships between those in power and those living in poverty.
If you’re going to read one book this year, make it this one. It’s an original story that left me wanting more.
The story begins with Seeva, an animal-loving activist in pursuit of a poacher, and follows with a series of gut-wrenching events that touched me on an emotional level. The author continues in this fashion as we’re introduced to the mystery of the beating sun that’s become unstable, posing a threat to the surrounding planets. This alone made me want to read on and discover the reasons behind this ominous incident. With passages like this: ‘Towering buildings. A ghost city, weeds and gases blowing around like spirits. No lights. No people. No answers.’ it’s impossible to put the book down! R M Schultz allows you to experience the story through your senses, as you marvel at the intricate flora, fascinating creatures, and the complex relationships between those in power and those living in poverty.
If you’re going to read one book this year, make it this one. It’s an original story that left me wanting more.
June 29, 2021
Best sci-fi/fantasy combination I've read.
A truly unique story. Complex, but easy enough to follow and stay engaged with each of the diverse characters. Looking for comps I would say it has shades of Game of Thrones, Star Wars, The Fifth Season, and The Expanse Series, but it's really its own story. A nice blend of elements from fantasy and sci-fi with some mystery in there as well. I was initially a little hesitant at the length of the book, but it reads much quicker than you would expect and frankly I found it hard to put down. Great read, that I think you need to experience!
A truly unique story. Complex, but easy enough to follow and stay engaged with each of the diverse characters. Looking for comps I would say it has shades of Game of Thrones, Star Wars, The Fifth Season, and The Expanse Series, but it's really its own story. A nice blend of elements from fantasy and sci-fi with some mystery in there as well. I was initially a little hesitant at the length of the book, but it reads much quicker than you would expect and frankly I found it hard to put down. Great read, that I think you need to experience!
July 23, 2021
The Forgotten Sky delivers on everything we want in both science fiction and fantasy. Author R.M. Schultz creates, through the experiences of relatable and compellingly human characters, a far future galaxy that proves Arthur C. Clarke’s assertion that any suitably advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. A definite contender for 2021’s best SF novel, The Forgotten Sky shines in every single sentence—a true must-read.
June 29, 2021
The Forgotten Sky is like nothing you’ve read this year, it's layered in story and intrigue and brimming with character. Enthralled by the complex world, there’s never a dull moment. The characters are uniquely their own, bringing different aspects of life together. Seeva’s interests lured me in quickly, then kept me engaged through the rest of her intense story. Team Seeva all the way!
June 29, 2021
MAKINGS OF AN EPIC!
Strong group of characters, world building at its best, and a story that centers on an intriguing plot and character growth, rather than pure over the top action. It checks all the boxes of what a great epic should be.
Strong group of characters, world building at its best, and a story that centers on an intriguing plot and character growth, rather than pure over the top action. It checks all the boxes of what a great epic should be.
August 26, 2021
3.5 stars. I'm so conflicted on the rating between 3 and 4.
The book has amazing plotline. But it all feels so confusing and incomplete. First, the names are very complicated but that's okay. My main problem is that the world building is all over the place.Through half of the book I couldn't understand the magic system at all and it was so confusing. All the characters had their own unique storyline and it was so shocking when .
Why is this a standalone?It's a fairly long book but it feels like an amazing plot has been done in a rushed way. It was really really interesting and I was not bored even a bit. But I wish the author made it as a series. You have an awesome plot, great world to build and intriguing characters. But seems like all were lost in making it as a single book and everything ended up looking superficial.
With all these said I still loved the book and the characters and it feels so incomplete. So I would say this book is a 'Beguiler'.
The book has amazing plotline. But it all feels so confusing and incomplete. First, the names are very complicated but that's okay. My main problem is that the world building is all over the place.Through half of the book I couldn't understand the magic system at all and it was so confusing. All the characters had their own unique storyline and it was so shocking when .
Why is this a standalone?It's a fairly long book but it feels like an amazing plot has been done in a rushed way. It was really really interesting and I was not bored even a bit. But I wish the author made it as a series. You have an awesome plot, great world to build and intriguing characters. But seems like all were lost in making it as a single book and everything ended up looking superficial.
With all these said I still loved the book and the characters and it feels so incomplete. So I would say this book is a 'Beguiler'.
June 29, 2021
Strongly recommend.
Not your common Sci-Fi knock off. A very well written book, it has some of the most expressive and vivid descriptions you’ll ever read. The characters are well-developed and distinct, some you’ll love and some you’ll love to hate, as it should be. Fans of both Sci-Fi and Fantasy should really enjoy this story, but I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fiction.
This book has a lot of depth and a lot to like, so it’s hard to pick out specific highlights, but I was particularly intrigued by: the mystery behind the beating sun, the revolving masks of the council members, the originality of the planet Staggenmoire and the culture of its inhabitants.
Not your common Sci-Fi knock off. A very well written book, it has some of the most expressive and vivid descriptions you’ll ever read. The characters are well-developed and distinct, some you’ll love and some you’ll love to hate, as it should be. Fans of both Sci-Fi and Fantasy should really enjoy this story, but I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fiction.
This book has a lot of depth and a lot to like, so it’s hard to pick out specific highlights, but I was particularly intrigued by: the mystery behind the beating sun, the revolving masks of the council members, the originality of the planet Staggenmoire and the culture of its inhabitants.
September 15, 2021
Best sci-fi/fantasy mash up I've ever read. The author really outshines all others in this category. It is an epic adventure in a future galaxy that grasps your attention quickly. It is easy to read and the characters are fascinating although it took some effort to get them all straight in my mind at first. It is well written and as we travel this unknown universe, it is highly engaging. Thanks to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for the ARC.
5*
5*
September 16, 2021
The Forgotten Sky is the most compelling amalgamation of Science Fiction and classic Fantasy storytelling since we were first introduced to that famous Galaxy Far, Far Away. Like Lucas’s epic creation, the worlds of Schultz’s universe feel lived-in with their own unique histories, legends, technologies, and biologies. These fantastic alien planets are inhabited by equally fascinating characters, each fully realized with individual goals, aspirations, fears, and flaws. The comparisons to Herbert’s Dune and Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire are well-earned, as The Forgotten Sky’s central plot is filled with intrigue, murder, corruption, and battle played out on the grand stage of a sprawling galaxy and viewed from the individual perspectives of various characters affiliated with the principal factions. R.M. Schultz has truly created an epic in every sense of the word.
December 13, 2021
Thanks to Netgally for giving me the opportunity to read. Binged the book in one go for a few hours of constant reading. The story blends really well fantasy and sci-fi elements. The last book I read that included this sort of blending along with few characters being the main cast was the Aurora Cycle by Jay Kristoff and am glad that I could read something similar. A lot of introguing and different characters, with interesting development, as well as many unique worlds and planets. Kinda also reminded me of Dreamwork's Voltron, which also immediately captured my attention. Amazing read.
June 26, 2021
What a unique and complex story! So many diverse characters and worlds that come together in a way not at all typical of most story telling.
It's structured a bit like Game of Thrones but in space and on unique planets a bit like Dune.
If you like ensemble casts, lots of characters, complex stories, and twists and interactions, you'll love it. If you enjoy single hero character stories with a typical and easy to understand plot, you might get confused.
I loved Rynn and Seeva the most. TEAM Rynn and Seeva!
It's structured a bit like Game of Thrones but in space and on unique planets a bit like Dune.
If you like ensemble casts, lots of characters, complex stories, and twists and interactions, you'll love it. If you enjoy single hero character stories with a typical and easy to understand plot, you might get confused.
I loved Rynn and Seeva the most. TEAM Rynn and Seeva!
June 29, 2021
This book is amazing, highly recommended. The galaxy is expansive, with each character showing their own perspective. I loved how it combined fantasy and sci-fi, creating a unique world. If you’re a fan of either of these genres then you’ll love this book.
June 29, 2021
The multi-character universe is fun to read and learn about. For so many characters, it was a great constant non-stop fast paced read. I haven’t read any book like this. Nyranna was my favorite character, she’s such a strong female role! I’m definitely team Nyranna!
June 26, 2021
So imaginative. Finally, an original and different story instead of the same old same old.
July 20, 2021
Fun read !
Sci fiction kind of book which takes the reader to the world of fantasy and imagination just like the movie series Game of Thrones. Con: it’s a complex story for non native understand easily.
Sci fiction kind of book which takes the reader to the world of fantasy and imagination just like the movie series Game of Thrones. Con: it’s a complex story for non native understand easily.
October 22, 2021
This book was incredibly in-depth and the world building was intensive, but that created length, which at times made it a lot to chew through. This book was nearly 560 pages. It intertwined the stories and journeys of six unique individuals, taking each of their missions and ultimately bringing them together in the quest to destroy Northrite.
I would classify this book more as a sci-fi fantasy. It is sci-fi in the aspects of the space setting and sci-fi elements of many unique planets, creatures and races, reminiscent of the Star Wars Universe. But many aspects of the abilities, the lore and legends were all fantasy.
The prose was descriptive and detailed. There was the occasional word that felt a little out of place, but overall the writing brought the many worlds and characters to life. There is one particular trigger moment of a sexual assault. I wasn’t a huge fan of the present tense of the writing but that was a very minor detail and just a personal preference so I don’t usually detract rating stars for things like that.
There are many different races and beings described. Nyranna is an Elemiscist, with special abilities and powers like Striding, an ability to move through space, and Whispering, a telepathic form of communication. I appreciated Seeva. I felt connected to her character right from chapter one and her fury over the senseless killing of endangered creatures in order for Northrite to gain mining rights.
If you’re going to read this book be ready to commit time to it. I read this book during an unexpectedly busy three weeks and felt like I wasn’t able to give it the time it deserved to be fully appreciated. I would have to stop reading for a few days and then when I went to pick it up after that break, it made it hard to keep connected to the story and slip into the flow of the plot. I plan on rereading it again at another time in the near future and highly recommended waiting until you have plenty of free time to devote to this because it is not a weekend read and rightfully shouldn’t be.
There are so many moving parts in this book all woven together that I needed to do a lot of rereading to make sure I didn’t miss anything and to refresh my memory on what had happened. The author created an entire universe in this book and as much as it felt overly lengthy it also needed that length to fully explore all of the characters. It could have easily also worked as a trilogy of the author wanted to break it into smaller parts.
This is a book that epic sci-fi and fantasy fans will absolutely enjoy if they can dedicate the time it deserves to fully dive into the plot and appreciate its complexity.
I would classify this book more as a sci-fi fantasy. It is sci-fi in the aspects of the space setting and sci-fi elements of many unique planets, creatures and races, reminiscent of the Star Wars Universe. But many aspects of the abilities, the lore and legends were all fantasy.
The prose was descriptive and detailed. There was the occasional word that felt a little out of place, but overall the writing brought the many worlds and characters to life. There is one particular trigger moment of a sexual assault. I wasn’t a huge fan of the present tense of the writing but that was a very minor detail and just a personal preference so I don’t usually detract rating stars for things like that.
There are many different races and beings described. Nyranna is an Elemiscist, with special abilities and powers like Striding, an ability to move through space, and Whispering, a telepathic form of communication. I appreciated Seeva. I felt connected to her character right from chapter one and her fury over the senseless killing of endangered creatures in order for Northrite to gain mining rights.
If you’re going to read this book be ready to commit time to it. I read this book during an unexpectedly busy three weeks and felt like I wasn’t able to give it the time it deserved to be fully appreciated. I would have to stop reading for a few days and then when I went to pick it up after that break, it made it hard to keep connected to the story and slip into the flow of the plot. I plan on rereading it again at another time in the near future and highly recommended waiting until you have plenty of free time to devote to this because it is not a weekend read and rightfully shouldn’t be.
There are so many moving parts in this book all woven together that I needed to do a lot of rereading to make sure I didn’t miss anything and to refresh my memory on what had happened. The author created an entire universe in this book and as much as it felt overly lengthy it also needed that length to fully explore all of the characters. It could have easily also worked as a trilogy of the author wanted to break it into smaller parts.
This is a book that epic sci-fi and fantasy fans will absolutely enjoy if they can dedicate the time it deserves to fully dive into the plot and appreciate its complexity.
August 14, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up- I got this as part of a giveaway in exchange for an honest review. This book was quite the slow burn, with a lot of characters with strange names to keep track of, which is a particular sci fi/fantasy trope I don’t care for. Nevertheless, I found the parallel and then intertwined stories interesting. The main “bad guy” the whole time was fairly obvious, but there were some twists I wasn’t expecting (particularly the death of one main character). My main complaint was the themes of evil and political intrigue in this book were maybe too diffuse, a little too complex of a goal for the scope of one book. The world building felt a little abrupt and incomplete at points. Still, I enjoyed the book, and after about 30% was very interested in continuing it. I’m not crazy about Nyranna and her shifting of subjugation to humans instead of creating equality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2022
This is an incredible book written by RM Schultz! This book drew me in from the very first page and I admit I had a very difficult time putting it down. The plot was very well developed and had a very nice twists hidden within that the author unraveled throughout the story. The story lies as a cross between science fiction and fantasy. There were a number of players in the book which complicated things for me - the author gave reminders but at times I had to go back and reread section to catch myself up. The pace of the book was solid. There was always something happening, and I didn't want to put the book down as I never knew if my favorite characters were safe or not. On the other hand, the author never rushed me through the story either. The "murder mystery" he wrote is very well done and I really enjoyed this book a lot.
February 1, 2022
This book is A LOT. I am an avid reader of all this sci-fi and fantasy, from modern to epic to high, and this is one of the most disassociated novels I have ever read. The lack of overlap between the characters and their perceived goals makes it a challenge, as does the lack of empathy for many of the characters., The story follows many different character lines, but unfortunately, it is hard to feel much for many of them - and some of them are outright unlikable. The concepts and ideas behind the novel are interesting, but I am not sure that I would pick up book two. Too much in this one just seemed overcomplicated without reason and irrelevant, but perhaps it is just the red pen editor in me. If you are intrigued by the story line, it is worth trying - I love the ideas behind this novel.
April 18, 2022
Out of all the difficult stories I've taken on, this one was ten times harder and more time consuming. And it needed many more editors and edits and beta readers. But worth it. I love how it turned out.
It is my attempt at a work like the masterpieces of Martin and Frank Herbert, after being inspired for so long by their works.
The Forgotten Sky has many deep and twisted characters like in GoT, worlds like fantasy, a galaxy and planets similar but very unique to Dune. So many rewrites and shuffling of scenes and events to make it all flow.
This is an influenced story for sure, but like all of my stories, I go directly for originality and not rehashing the same tropes and stories and characters.
For the people the get this story and my style of vivid prose and writing, this series will hopefully someday be my masterpiece.
It is my attempt at a work like the masterpieces of Martin and Frank Herbert, after being inspired for so long by their works.
The Forgotten Sky has many deep and twisted characters like in GoT, worlds like fantasy, a galaxy and planets similar but very unique to Dune. So many rewrites and shuffling of scenes and events to make it all flow.
This is an influenced story for sure, but like all of my stories, I go directly for originality and not rehashing the same tropes and stories and characters.
For the people the get this story and my style of vivid prose and writing, this series will hopefully someday be my masterpiece.
May 10, 2023
Stunning blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. A whole Galaxy with a complex society. Ten groups struggling for their own position over twelve completely different planets. A magic system that solves what science can not (and changes how the conflict evolves). Original creatures. Descriptions of landscapes, weather, cities.
Six main characters, with different problems, interests and personalities, develop a thrilling plot with crime, treason and trickery which in fact hides a global threat. And all that understandable (English is not my mother tongue), believable and coherent!
First in a trilogy (not really a stand alone, as someone said), the second is already available and certainly in my "must read" list.
Six main characters, with different problems, interests and personalities, develop a thrilling plot with crime, treason and trickery which in fact hides a global threat. And all that understandable (English is not my mother tongue), believable and coherent!
First in a trilogy (not really a stand alone, as someone said), the second is already available and certainly in my "must read" list.
December 7, 2025
So my mind is in a jumble and I have no idea how to pin down my thoughts and feelings of this book in words.
Just Wow!
Loved this book and it's in-depth world building and characters. So much detail. Detail to die for.
Just Wow!
Loved this book and it's in-depth world building and characters. So much detail. Detail to die for.
February 20, 2023
Hauntingly Fascinating Space Opera.
A wonderfully imagined galaxy of world's and characters. Settings on planets that are truly graphic and eerily different, combined with a plot that is impossible to predict. The multitude of characters made it difficult to follow the plot but as the novel progressed this became easier although I struggled to remember who was who at times. There were some errors in grammar and sentence construction which I noticed, as these diverted my attention. A hauntingly beautiful tapestry of a galaxy that I'm not sure I would enjoy living in.
A wonderfully imagined galaxy of world's and characters. Settings on planets that are truly graphic and eerily different, combined with a plot that is impossible to predict. The multitude of characters made it difficult to follow the plot but as the novel progressed this became easier although I struggled to remember who was who at times. There were some errors in grammar and sentence construction which I noticed, as these diverted my attention. A hauntingly beautiful tapestry of a galaxy that I'm not sure I would enjoy living in.
September 11, 2021
He is such an amazing way with words to where you can see the picture with your eyes still open and you don't have to try and imagine what it could be You know exactly what is going on. I can't get enough of Elion and Nyranna. They are definitely by far my favorite characters and I can't wait to see what happens to them next I know it's going to be an epic adventure.
August 24, 2021
The Forgotten Sky has an intriguing premise and I enjoyed reading it. Maybe sometimes a bit too much details and over-explanation. That slowed down the story for me. I also did not really care for some of the main characters. That being said… the story is interesting enough to keep reading. Hopefully in the second book (if there is gonna be one) we get more Rynn & Seeva and less Nyranna & Eliot.
October 2, 2022
Fantasmic!
Hard to put down and hard to understand. I loved it and hated it. I would do it again. Shultz has an amazing mind. I a mere mortal had to work to keep up. I am maybe you will do better.
Hard to put down and hard to understand. I loved it and hated it. I would do it again. Shultz has an amazing mind. I a mere mortal had to work to keep up. I am maybe you will do better.
September 11, 2021
Started a little slow but picked up. Great world building and leaves you wanting to learn more about the groups of characters.
June 28, 2022
It's free on Amazon today!
August 8, 2022
Terrible
Each chapter is so.ful! Of imagery and comparisons that you can't follow the story or plot. Quit after the fifth chapter.
Each chapter is so.ful! Of imagery and comparisons that you can't follow the story or plot. Quit after the fifth chapter.
October 26, 2022
Fantasy S-F remniscent of Dune, The Wheel of Time, etc. - volume 1 of 3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews