“An Era in Anddemar” by Maureen B. Roberts

An Era in Anddemar

Maureen B Roberts
Vandrassian Press (2026)
ISBN: 978-1923512887
Reviewed by Julie Sara Porter for Reader Views (07/2026)

Maureen B. Roberts’ An Era in Anddemar is the best kind of science fiction novel. The extensive world-building, rich characters, and involved plot provide a dream-like, almost immersive experience inside a new literary universe.

The Greying is entering the Anddemar Galaxy. This strange combination of natural disaster and viral pandemic leaves nothing but dull gray indifference, suffering, and despair for anyone who comes in contact with it and will turn a once vibrant galaxy into a hollow, empty shell; quite possibly spreading to other galaxies. It’s up to the dark knight Sir Jaide, the shapemage Jessiah, and a group of scientists who find themselves in this strange galaxy far, far away from their home to combat and fight against it.

An Era in Anddemar is a feast for the eyes to read and the brain to create mental pictures. The Anddemar Galaxy itself is a masterclass in science fiction world-building. The setting combines space opera with fairy land. The descriptions of various planets with different sky colors, the presence of several moons in the sky, glimmering lakes, plants present only in their worlds, and figures like sprites, melusines, and hippogriffs zipping in and out of the landscapes capture the imagination.

There are interesting touches that Roberts gives to her fictional universe. One of the most fascinating is mindfaring. Various characters, such as Sir Jaide and Jessiah, can meld their souls with dark matter to exploit the hidden properties of dark energy to travel from world to world either instantaneously or through a series of jumps.

Jessiah takes advantage of this ability to view many of the planets in the Anddemar Galaxy. It turns what could be clunky exposition describing the various worlds into a smooth and enchanting montage for the mind. Sir Jaide is also capable of mindfaring either physically or through astral projection. At one point, he travels through a state called the Dreaming with his lover, the Vidar Quain (Queen of Vidar), Starwing.

Characters often speak of befriending specific stars. It is sort of like astrology or choosing a patron saint or goddess. Characters share mind links with stars that act as guides on their chosen paths. One of the deepest moments occurs when one of the scientists who inquires about this star friendship later selects her own star. It’s no surprise that even though her fellow scientists decide to return to their home world (all but implied to be Earth), she wishes to remain behind.

The Greying is set up not as a physical antagonist or a villain but as something that is both natural and psychological. It is similar to The Nothing in The Neverending Story, an abstract concept that destroys the universe because of its mere presence and stands as a metaphor for the issues that exist in both fictional and real life.

The Greying can be seen as a metaphor for various concerns, and since it never comes right out and emphasizes which issues, it could be anything. Environmental disaster? Pandemics? Economic division? Mental illness? Political tyranny? Lack of spiritual connection? Lost values? Social collapse? A combination of all of the above? Take your pick.

The point is that it doesn’t matter. With so much stacked against one, it can be very easy to feel nothing but resigned despair at the entire world surrounding us. It’s also not a quick fix or an immediate fight or solution to defeat the Greying. It’s a slow process and takes many years and actions to recede and counterbalance its presence and influence.

Many of the characters are able to counter the Greying by their individuality, emotional connections, determination, and love for the world around them. Sir Jaide is extremely protective of his loved ones. He has a found family with his fellow knights and two sisters, of whom the eldest is married to his best friend. His moments with them, particularly with Downian, the younger sister, are heartfelt.

Sir Jaide’s love for Starwing is emotional and passionate. They are the very definition of soulmates who love and respect each other. Since Starwing is a queen, she has and uses full authority on the situation. She navigates the wide monarchical and political landscape, while Jaide goes on missions and operates one-on-one with those who are personally affected by the Greying.

Jessiah is a more scholarly academic contrast to Sir Jaide’s physically active approach. He is able to reveal an inner strength and endurance as he faces this intergalactic crisis and his growing powers that are augmented in this strange new environment.

He also bonds with Sir Jaide and other characters, particularly rangers Elverne and Sygan. Their rough living confuses him, but he is drawn in and encouraged by their innate friendship. While before he saw the Greying presence as an abstract problem, he becomes aware of the real ramifications and costs when he grows to care about the people that will be in direct contact with the crisis.

An Era in Anddemar is the type of science fiction novel that invites the reader inside and makes them feel like they want to spend longer than an era there.