Worlds Apart

The Darkness Within Saga, Book 8

By: J.D. Franx

Narrated by: Simon Vance

With Kael Symes nowhere to be found, Maxwell Soren reluctantly returns to Solikyr Fortress to help pick up the pieces after the Ri'Tek's devastating attack.

Now appointed the temporary custodian of Solikyr Fortress by Queen Kohl, he finds himself hearing petitions requesting help from several of Talohna's southern courts. Tales of strange abductions have surfaced all across the south, but with those living in DormaSai seemingly unaffected by these strange disappearances, Max turns away the petitioners and instead focuses on getting the Dead Forge to the Midnight Canopy. But will turning a blind eye become a mistake?

Even in death, it seems the fallen goddess has one final lesson for Kael Symes to learn.

After the brutal fight at the Black Kasym, Kael wakes in a strange place to meet a young woman who introduces him to a people living in a post-apocalyptic nightmare... And he finally understands what Niis has done to him. Stranded in another reality with no way to open a portal back home, Kael defends his new hosts when attacked by a pack of horrifically corrupted witches using a type of magic he has never seen before—the terrifying reality of everyday life in Edyr. While searching for a way home, Kael does his best to help this new world fight against the grotesque evil terrorizing the people, and in doing so uncovers a link to Edyr's forgotten past, to the former wizards of this lost world—the Maji—and the true history surrounding the apocalypse.

A history that could lead him back home, but in the process, could also threaten Talohna's very existence.

For mature listeners.

©2025 JD Franx (P)2026 Podium Audio

Long awaited hit of a hint

This is another good book from JD Franx but man , if it wasn't just a sample of what's come. it's incredible that JD 8 books in built another world with characters we would rather not live without. His world building is pretty incredible and this book, Although slow at times left me wanting more. the worst words are heard reading this entire book was "epilogue," as that word heralded , the soon end to a good book. don't tune out on the epilog, because that adds to what makes you want to read the next book.

storytelling

this is one series that has had me gripped to it from end to end...

seamless transition

I mean I love his writing but his seamless transition between threats, his expansion of the world and the new power scaling introduced in this novel shows an in depth planning I can only compare to masterful. Can't wait for the next installment

Great writing

Best serious in my opinion. Simon Vance is a great narrator only matched by the authors writing

Can't wait for the next one!

I loved listening to Simon in this series, his voice does the story justice. The story it's self was easy to pick up from the last one and was cohesive.