Hey r/fantasy! My debut epic fantasy novel is now available for 0.99c!

Hello there r/fantasy,

Long-time lurker, sporadic poster, and first-time author here. Big thanks to the mods for letting me share this with you all.

My indie debut epic fantasy novel, First There Was War, is officially live today, available for purchase as an ebook on Amazon (all hail the Bezos monopoly). Paperback and hardcover copies should be available over the weekend.

Here’s the cover and blurb, for your viewing pleasure:

this is mah book. art by me. all hail canva for the assembly.

For the next 48 hours, it’s only $ 0.99USD.

Profit is a pipedream. I’m more about building a community, getting reviews, and making sure my book gets into the hands of people who might actually enjoy it.

According to my ARC reviewers (you can check out their opinions on Goodreads), this book might be for you if you like:

  • A strong undercurrent of humour to complement a dark, gritty world
  • Character-rich, motley-crew-dynamic narratives
  • Travel-adventure-style fantasy
  • A pantheon of Gods up to no good
  • Secondary world-building with a mix of tech and industrial development
  • A sprinkle of eldritch horror

On the other hand, you might not like it if:

  • You can’t stand violence or bleak worlds. (This one's a bit grim.)
  • You’re not a huge fan of environmental description
  • You're looking for romantasy or anything with a heavy romantic subplot
  • Crude humour and language aren’t your thing. (I'm Australian, it's in my blood.)
  • You’re looking for a standalone novel with neatly tied-off ends. (This is part one of three—the second of which is slated for release in early 2026.)

If you check it out, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Honest reviews help immensely, especially for a new author.

Anyway, thanks for letting me share this with you. Any questions, don’t hesitate to hit me up.

Enjoy the rest of your day (and maybe my book, if you’re feeling so inclined).

Cheers,
lemonsorbetstan (sometimes known as E. A. Rayner).

EDIT: Guys, GUYS. I just woke up. There are no WORDS to express my gratitude. I went from the the 12,316th place in dark fantasy to #179 OVERNIGHT.!! This is beyond anything I could have prepared for. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope you enjoy!!

Gonna go throw up now.