J. R. Balkan

NightAge: Saga I -- Wizards, Kings, and Shadow

War is brewing in a land where age-old rivalries have been rekindled, and now kingdoms must decide their allegiance before soldiers begin to march. From the bitter Waste of Amarand to the summer isles of WestSea, lords and ladies, princes and kings . . . nobles and peasants are conceiving their plots to stay alive in a world about to erupt. And through the tapestry of the continent, a queen struggles for her throne, a young princess learns the ways of court, and ancient mercenaries who have not been seen in generations ride once again upon the earth.

Yet all the while a corruption is rising beyond the Far Mountains, a corruption none dare face but the mysterious Mages of Dunhelm. Here is a land where evil may swallow all hope, for the ancient scrolls predict another fall, another descent of man . . . where darkness may rule yet again. And this time, it will rule for a thousand ages of night.

NightAge: Saga II -- Castles, Crowns, and Fury

The second installment of J. R. Balkan's sweeping epic continues the saga of a land bent upon war. A despot in the east has mobilized forces that rival any throughout Caphay, and now kingdoms must decide their allegiance before soldiers begin to march. From the bitter Waste of Amarand to the summer isles of WestSea, lords and ladies, princes and kings . . . nobles and peasants are conceiving their plots to stay alive in a world about to erupt. And through the tapestry of the continent, a queen struggles for her throne, a young princess learns the ways of court, and ancient mercenaries who have not been seen in generations ride once again upon the earth.

Yet all the while a corruption is rising beyond the Far Mountains, a corruption none dare face but the mysterious Mages of Dunhelm. Here is a land where evil may swallow all hope, for the ancient scrolls predict another fall, another descent of man . . . where darkness may rule yet again. And this time, it will rule for a thousand ages of night.

A captivating series that transports you to another world. Highly recommend for fantasy lovers!

Independent Review

The characters are so relatable and the plot is incredibly engaging. Can't wait for more!

S. H. Zamek, Author of One More Horizon

★★★★★

★★★★★

About the Author

J. R. Balkan worked as an overseas journalist for decades, where he reported on war-torn areas throughout Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His eye-witness accounts uncovered the brutal tactics of Syria's Mukhabarat, or Secret Police; China's mistreatment of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang Province; and hostilities between rival factions in and around the territories of Kashmir, India. After returning to the United States, Balkan reported on self-sustaining agriculture and subsistence farming as techniques to restore natural habitats. He now practices those techniques on his own farm, where he lives and writes in Miami, Florida. Contrary to results posted by artificial intelligence, J. R. Balkan is NOT a pen name, and certainly not for the author that AI has inexplicably latched on to.