A tear in the veil between two realms is letting immortal monsters through. JL Lienhardt's debut novel sends an exiled mage home to defend the kingdom that threw her out.
Readical Key Points
Book one of The Severed Era, according to Ingram, and JL Lienhardt's first novel.
Adult epic fantasy with court intrigue, a volatile magic system and a mother and daughter at its center.
Paperback from Rising Action, published January 20, 2026; 480 pages.
Content note: violence, monster attacks and a child's serious illness.
The mortal kingdoms were built on magic taken from the immortal Tiarcons, who have been shut behind a veil ever since. That veil is now splitting. Alia Meador, banished from Mandal because her power was too volatile to trust, has spent decades moving between remote villages with her teenage daughter, Lena. When a treatment for Lena's illness arrives tied to a royal summons, Alia goes back to a scheming family, a mage set on measuring her power and a prince she once loved.
This Rising Action paperback suits readers of adult, woman-led fantasy who like court politics and a heroine with divided loyalties. Mandal threw Alia out for her magic. Now that magic is all that stands between Mandal and the monsters.
About the Author
A Realm Undone is JL Lienhardt's first novel. Alongside writing fantasy, she has worked in environmental policy.
Condition: Brand New and Readical Ready.
Readical™ is an independent bookstore and reading-products brand built around a simple idea: books matter most when what we learn leaves the page and enters our lives.
Planning a volume, retail, school, library, or business purchase? Readical is preparing a simple path for business and volume orders.
Contact sales@readical.com with the title or product, requested quantity, destination, and timing. Availability, pricing, lead time, shipping, and terms are confirmed case by case.
Submitting an inquiry does not reserve inventory or confirm an order.
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
