The Second Stranger (Book 1 STUBBING APRIL 10th!)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Erik gave up everything for his brother—his dreams, his sleep, his future. All so Noah could have the life Erik never would. Then a portal tears through their living room, and Noah vanishes into it. Erik, of course, doesn't hesitate. He follows. He wakes up in the body of a teenage boy named Fern. But Fern never left—he's still there, a voice in Erik's head that won't shut up. They're stuck together, and if Erik wants to find Noah, they'll have to figure out how to survive in a world where Fern is worthless. Because Fern is a Voidblood. He has no magic at all. In a world built on power, people like him are bought, sold, and thrown away when they break. Their only way out is the Academy of Ash, a brutal school that turns Voidbloods into weapons. Pass the Trials, earn a place among the elite Cinders. Fail, and die forgotten. Erik came here to find and save his brother. But every alliance he makes, every fight he wins with borrowed hands, the line between Fern and himself blurs a little more. He needs to find Noah before there's nothing left of either of them. Magic dictates destiny. Erik intends to rewrite his. What to expect: + An epic progression trilogy. + A slight slow burn in terms of progression. The MC does not become OP or Godlike instantly. + Mythical Monster Evolution + Cultivation-like elements + Two souls one body + Academy training + Lethal tower floors + A large cast that grows into a tight core crew. + Mystery, ancient lore, and a slow reveal of what the Pillars really are. This story is only posted on Royal Road and my Patreon. If you see it anywhere else, it has been stolen. This is the non-finalized version that will be published under Podium Entertainment and will be stubbed upon official release.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: J. G. Sadsquatch

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.1/ 5.0
Followers: 691
Views: 80,875

What readers say about The Second Stranger (Book 1 STUBBING APRIL 10th!)

“Started reading this during a shoutout swap with the author - no review swap was planned. I simply got sucked in and enjoyed the first nine chapters on a plane flight. This story is a fun read and if you like fast-but-not-instant progression portal fantas…”
AzureInkRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“This was a recommendation from a different story on here and I must say *mwah* chefs kiss. The magic system literally being tied to the land of your birth is rather interesting and the weaknesses for the ones we know make total sense. If you like buddy come…”
Egag99Royal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(5)

AzureInkRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Started reading this during a shoutout swap with the author - no review swap was planned. I simply got sucked in and enjoyed the first nine chapters on a plane flight. This story is a fun read and if you like fast-but-not-instant progression portal fantasy, I think you’ll have fun reading Embers of the Academy!Without further ado, let’s jump into the score breakdown:Grammar: Few nits here and there, nothing of substance. Well-edited.Characters: Compelling so far, I generally like the band of misfits and their unique/shared traumas. I'm optimistic each will be developed down an interesting and three-dimensional path.Style: Very good overall. The writing is clear, engaging, and easy to read. Many chapters end in cliffhangers, which encourages compulsive reading. I hope this relaxes a bit once they get into the training at the Academy so the pace doesn’t feel forced.Story: I like the angle of the body's original owner still being around in their (shared) head, however I felt that Fern adjusted too quickly to having his body being controlled by a total stranger. I also found a few instances where it was difficult to suspend disbelief, and didn't love the appearance of a seemingly-OP third-year student. But these are relatively minor complaints so far, not preventing me from enjoying the story and planning to read more!
Egag99Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This was a recommendation from a different story on here and I must say *mwah* chefs kiss. The magic system literally being tied to the land of your birth is rather interesting and the weaknesses for the ones we know make total sense. If you like buddy comedy with blood and guts, check this out.
HobolobotomyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Loved the first draft. So far, this one feels tighter and and the characters have more personality. Certain aspects of society are better defined. The book has always had solid world building, but it's clearer and easier to see here. Pacing still feels natural and we get into just as quick.
Ryan StennetRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
We started with a solid first draft, and this revision feels much tighter and more naturalistic. The characters and the setting are allowed more opportunities to shine through and make themselves known.The plot moves as fast as you would expect for something in this genre, but it doesn't race along at a speed that is unbelievable or disconcerting.As far as Portal Fantasies go, this is a fun one, even if admittedly some of the magic ends up being a little bit furry adjacent. :pGrammar: Windowpane prose that doesn't get in the way with a professional polish that elevates it above many of the stories on RR.Characters: Compelling. It's always nice when an author spends time building out more of the cast instead of keeping the spotlight solely on the MC.Style: as I alluded to in grammar, this is a clear, functional, and engaging style of prose. It skews much closer to someone like Brandon Sanderson than someone like Patrick Rothfuss or George R.R. Martin. Clean and purposeful.Story: fast-paced without giving the reader whiplash. I have very few complaints as an author also writing a story where the main character has to share his head with somebody. I may be particularly critical of certain parts of how Fern and Erik get on, but that's only because the author makes me second-guess my own narrative. :p
SholaarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Okay, so this is like those transmigration stories. The difference with most similar tropes is that the MC actually seems sensible. The story is told in a way that draws you in and gets you invested in the characters. If you like the blurb, give it a try—you’ll probably like it. It has been engaging so far.