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The Foundry: Dianis, A World In Turmoil
Marisa, a trader princess on Dianis, an Iron-Age world, learns her lover and father of her child is not a simple spice merchant. He is a chief inspector for a galactic federation entrusted to protect the unclaimed planet. Their love is illicit and forbidden by ULUP, the law that shields the planet.
Their lives, in her ignorance, are nearly perfect until ULUP is rescinded and Achelous, the undercover chief inspector, is confronted with a decision: Forsake the planet or go rogue, becoming an off-world outlaw, hunted by those he once led.
Marisa, hardened by pirates who prey on her crews, faces a new conflict when the Paleowrights, a powerful religious order, raid Wedgewood. There, not coincidental, Achelous prepares a defense against a coming wave of off-world mercenaries vying to exploit a ULUP-free Dianis.
Brewed in a storm of Paleowright greed and desire for global domination, a battle erupts. Deception hides true purpose, and the reptilian minions of the Church assault the walls of the idyllic mountain town. In a staggering retreat, the defenders fight the first battle to save their planet from tyranny and galactic exploitation. Outnumbered, the citizens of town stand shoulder to shoulder and send a rallying call to their brethren. Of those the host who answer, Marisa brings her champion, and mystery enshrouds another.
The defense of liberty starts here, in The Foundry.
Their lives, in her ignorance, are nearly perfect until ULUP is rescinded and Achelous, the undercover chief inspector, is confronted with a decision: Forsake the planet or go rogue, becoming an off-world outlaw, hunted by those he once led.
Marisa, hardened by pirates who prey on her crews, faces a new conflict when the Paleowrights, a powerful religious order, raid Wedgewood. There, not coincidental, Achelous prepares a defense against a coming wave of off-world mercenaries vying to exploit a ULUP-free Dianis.
Brewed in a storm of Paleowright greed and desire for global domination, a battle erupts. Deception hides true purpose, and the reptilian minions of the Church assault the walls of the idyllic mountain town. In a staggering retreat, the defenders fight the first battle to save their planet from tyranny and galactic exploitation. Outnumbered, the citizens of town stand shoulder to shoulder and send a rallying call to their brethren. Of those the host who answer, Marisa brings her champion, and mystery enshrouds another.
The defense of liberty starts here, in The Foundry.
519 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2021
15 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Frank Dravis
3 books3 followersAn author with a flair for era-blending science fiction, Frank merges science fiction with fantastical elements such as ESP and the paranormal. His stories bridge the eras of the Middle Ages and the twenty-fifth century. In those plots Humanity is not alone in sentience, and in a nearly infinite universe how could it be? His cast of characters explore the interactions of humans of different eras, sentient reptiles, and AI bots. As an outcome of those interactions between people, love and romance blossom and die. After all, what is an engaging science fiction story without the human side, the emotions, the conflicts, to make the story relevant? In the end, science and technology serves its master -- us -- and is a means to a story's end.
On a personal note, Frank lives along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, where he writes the Dianis, A World In Turmoil chronicles. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and has two degrees: A Bachelor of Computer Science and a Master of Business Administration. His careers include writer, software engineer, marketing executive, and chief information officer. He spent six years in the US Navy, and his love of the sea is reflected in chronicles, a love he has shared with his wife and two daughters. Over twenty years his writing has tread many paths, from blogging, industry white papers, trade journal articles, and his passion, science fiction.
On a personal note, Frank lives along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, where he writes the Dianis, A World In Turmoil chronicles. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and has two degrees: A Bachelor of Computer Science and a Master of Business Administration. His careers include writer, software engineer, marketing executive, and chief information officer. He spent six years in the US Navy, and his love of the sea is reflected in chronicles, a love he has shared with his wife and two daughters. Over twenty years his writing has tread many paths, from blogging, industry white papers, trade journal articles, and his passion, science fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 28, 2018
I would definitely recommend this book! I have been reading sci-fi and fantasy books for a while and it can be difficult to find a book that you want to reread. When I finished I hoped it would be a series, because I enjoyed the characters and the story so much. There is a depth to this world that provides the reader with excitement and wonder as to the mystery. It’s fresh! The variety of complex characters that you want to continue to follow through their adventures, the planets that you want to continue to reside on, and the technology that you continue to wonder about…
I liked how I felt connected with multiple characters and wanted to stick with them beyond the story. I also enjoyed the mix of different lives the characters led, such as being a trader, warrior, cultural anthropologist, or an Avarian Federation agent. Overall, one of my favorite things is learning new information, like I did not know much about cultural anthropology or about trading before, and I gleamed a few new things. This book is also technologically imaginative- like these people are living their lives, but then this happening around them and also this?-which is why I enjoy good sci-fi.
Really loved it.
Read it.
I liked how I felt connected with multiple characters and wanted to stick with them beyond the story. I also enjoyed the mix of different lives the characters led, such as being a trader, warrior, cultural anthropologist, or an Avarian Federation agent. Overall, one of my favorite things is learning new information, like I did not know much about cultural anthropology or about trading before, and I gleamed a few new things. This book is also technologically imaginative- like these people are living their lives, but then this happening around them and also this?-which is why I enjoy good sci-fi.
Really loved it.
Read it.
April 8, 2018
Epic in length and subject, Dravis’s sci-fi fantasy far distant future world is at heart a passionate treatise on environmental protection.
When a valuable mineral is found on a distant planet that also features beings with untapped powers that could affect the tide of galactic war, the race is on to plunder Dianis’s resources no matter the law.
The Foundry features Archelous, a man living a mysterious double life as an embedded native on an undeveloped world while also trying to defend that world from intergalactic turmoil. Dravis’s world-building skills are finely developed, as are his very real complex characters. While I love sci-fi fantasy, I occasionally found the details overblown and admit to skipping through some parts to pick up the threads of what, at first, was a story within a story. But unlike other lengthy books I had to put down for a time due to other projects, I found I was able to pick up the story again within a page of reading.
My caveat to readers is that you will want to set aside goodly chunks of time to immerse yourself in this complicated and challenging story. Characters from a number of different environments and philosophies unite to protect not only one world, but ethics in general. Told in numerous points of view throughout, readers may occasionally need to backtrack to determine the new speaker as there is little attempt to separate these viewpoints and introspection can be muddled. The characters are unique and fresh, however, and quite engaging as they battle for justice against their own kind as well as all manner of sentient beings. Archelous is heroic, but I found myself rooting for Outish. And to learn who those folks are, you’ll just have to read.
When a valuable mineral is found on a distant planet that also features beings with untapped powers that could affect the tide of galactic war, the race is on to plunder Dianis’s resources no matter the law.
The Foundry features Archelous, a man living a mysterious double life as an embedded native on an undeveloped world while also trying to defend that world from intergalactic turmoil. Dravis’s world-building skills are finely developed, as are his very real complex characters. While I love sci-fi fantasy, I occasionally found the details overblown and admit to skipping through some parts to pick up the threads of what, at first, was a story within a story. But unlike other lengthy books I had to put down for a time due to other projects, I found I was able to pick up the story again within a page of reading.
My caveat to readers is that you will want to set aside goodly chunks of time to immerse yourself in this complicated and challenging story. Characters from a number of different environments and philosophies unite to protect not only one world, but ethics in general. Told in numerous points of view throughout, readers may occasionally need to backtrack to determine the new speaker as there is little attempt to separate these viewpoints and introspection can be muddled. The characters are unique and fresh, however, and quite engaging as they battle for justice against their own kind as well as all manner of sentient beings. Archelous is heroic, but I found myself rooting for Outish. And to learn who those folks are, you’ll just have to read.
October 27, 2025
The cover immediately drew my attention because it gives the sense of a world full of conflict, history, and something much bigger unfolding behind the scenes. It has that feeling of a world already in motion, where power, loyalty, and destiny are all being tested. The title reinforces that sense of a world under pressure, something being shaped through fire, struggle, and courage.
From the description, I am already fascinated by the setup. Marisa is introduced as someone strong and capable, yet also deeply connected by love and responsibility. The reveal that her lover is not just a merchant but a chief inspector from an advanced galactic federation adds a compelling twist that creates both emotional and political tension. I love how their relationship is not simply romantic, but tied to laws, secrecy, and consequences that affect an entire planet.
The idea of a world protected by a law that suddenly disappears creates a feeling of urgency. Everything shifts. Loyalties are tested. Entire communities are forced to defend themselves. The mention of religious power, pirates, and a larger galactic threat suggests that this story is large in scope but also personal in the way it follows Marisa and the people she cares about.
From the description, I am already fascinated by the setup. Marisa is introduced as someone strong and capable, yet also deeply connected by love and responsibility. The reveal that her lover is not just a merchant but a chief inspector from an advanced galactic federation adds a compelling twist that creates both emotional and political tension. I love how their relationship is not simply romantic, but tied to laws, secrecy, and consequences that affect an entire planet.
The idea of a world protected by a law that suddenly disappears creates a feeling of urgency. Everything shifts. Loyalties are tested. Entire communities are forced to defend themselves. The mention of religious power, pirates, and a larger galactic threat suggests that this story is large in scope but also personal in the way it follows Marisa and the people she cares about.
July 1, 2023
After recently finishing another books series popularized through a television series and video games, I found the Foundry and the Matriarch to be refreshingly original and engaging to read. Whereas other book series left me bored with side stories that didn't move the plot forward and entire chapters dedicated to unmemorable and unimportant plots the authors never returned to, Dianis was focused and purposeful. The characters, plot, and general story are original, engaging, and left me wanting to read more. I appreciated the shorter chapters I could finish during a lunch break, reminders of acronyms and essential points of interest throughout the series, and stories that all tie the plot together. Most notably, the books include relevant maps and a cast of characters to see who they are, where they align with other characters, and a brief description about them – all conveniently located in the first few pages. I highly recommend these books and I'm impatiently waiting for the release of the Citadel.
June 2, 2018
I profess, I do not read many sci-fi novels - but I did find this book very enjoyable. Throughout the book you learn more about each character, and I enjoyed following their development. My favorite character at the end was different than my favorite character in the beginning. During the epic battle I was tuned into the book and couldn’t read fast enough. This book has a big cliffhanger for book two, so I cannot wait for it to come out so I can be immersed in the story again.
I would recommend this book to sci-fi lovers and skeptics alike. I think there are pieces of the book that are relatable to everyone. If you love technology you will get that in the AI, future weaponry, and advanced space technology. If you want a love story, you can find that in The Foundry. If you are an environmentalist, this book has something for you also.
I would recommend this book to sci-fi lovers and skeptics alike. I think there are pieces of the book that are relatable to everyone. If you love technology you will get that in the AI, future weaponry, and advanced space technology. If you want a love story, you can find that in The Foundry. If you are an environmentalist, this book has something for you also.
January 14, 2024
While I was reading ,I often reminded myself who will be my favorite character ,while I read books! In the Foundry, I didn’t pick the main character . I came to fall in love with the character Outish.
In beginning he was a bit silly and off balance ,but by the end he was very sure of himself . He some how changed ,while he worked side by side with Achelous and Barry. I want you to keep thinking how this would be possible in a Sci-World. I don’t want to give it away so it’s a must read to find out how!
In beginning he was a bit silly and off balance ,but by the end he was very sure of himself . He some how changed ,while he worked side by side with Achelous and Barry. I want you to keep thinking how this would be possible in a Sci-World. I don’t want to give it away so it’s a must read to find out how!
May 16, 2018
Solid read! I enjoyed the Outish and Christina characters and the journey that we are taken on throughout the book. The build up and conclusion really keep you connected to the story and leave you waiting to hear what can happen next.
August 19, 2018
Oi this is really good
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews