Review: The Foundry: Dianis, A World In Turmoil by Frank Dravis

There is a certain appeal to sci-fi that bridges both time and space, with the genre containing relatable characters, as well as fantastic elements of which humans can presently only dream. In The Foundry, author Frank Dravis has constructed a marvelous new sci-fi and fantasy adventure, perfectly in balance between reality and imagination, establishing a rich new universe in this genre-bending series.

Dianis is a small, out-of-the-way planet, easily overlooked on the galactic scale, but what it holds within – an incredibly rare and valuable mineral – puts it on the front line of an all-out war for domination of the stars. Being relatively undeveloped, the natives of Dianis have some resemblance to what readers may imagine of humans 1,000 years ago, simple farmers with simple dreams. Combining those types of characters with others who have sailed through the cosmos and understanding the incredible technological wonders of the universe creates an immediate tension and intrigue.

Achelous, a Chief Inspector sent to protect this untainted civilization from the greedy fingers of Nordarken Mining, is a riveting main character who stabilizes the story, providing a moral compass from beginning to end. He is empathic and intelligent, but also a fearless and believable leader. In his bid to protect the defenseless inhabitants of Dianis and Wedgewood, he must make the hardest choices of his life, pitting professionalism and duty over basic decency and his sense of righteousness. Supported by an equally complex and well-defined supporting cast, he is a protagonist to whom it is easy to swear allegiance.

The author’s ability to combine sci-fi and fantasy elements – juxtaposed well between what happens in space versus the ground below – makes this book appealing to a broad audience, and while the technical details of the novel sometimes become a bit too intricate or lengthy, the pacing of the story rarely slips. The book is quite long, and a good editing sweep would eliminate some unnecessary exposition and repetitive elements that slow down the flow of the story. That being said, this plot is expansive and ambitious, and readers will feel as though they have seen events from every perspective by the time the final conflict plays out.

Aside from the surface-level action and intrigue, this novel operates on another plane: one of moral guidance with underlying messages of environmental protection. Given what the real world is currently experiencing, the story of a hero rising to defend a planet’s resources in the face of a greedy, violent corporation is timely, and hardly far-fetched. Dravis presents this powerful message without being heavy-handed, yet leaves readers with plenty to think about.

On the technical side, there were some minor spelling and grammatical errors, as well as some rambling sentences and awkward syntax that could be cleaned up. However, these errors were only occasional and didn’t overly detract from the reading experience as a whole.

Overall, this first book in Dianis, A World in Turmoil has a goldmine of potential for future books and stories. Dravis’ diligence in world-building and meticulous attention to detail has set up a rich new universe that is an immersive experience for the reader, as well as being an insightful reflection on the world today.