Wollongong author John Raposio has released the first book of his epic fantasy saga Voidhammer. Photo: Created with AI.
Illawarra fantasy literature lovers, your new favourite read may have just landed.
Wollongong‑based author John Raposio has released his debut novel Voidhammer: The Shattered Gate, marking the beginning of his ambitious new world.
The first of what the author plans to be an epic, seven-book dark fantasy saga is a “chosen one” story with a twist, where the line between hero and harbinger is dangerously thin.
When a legendary gate tears open over the dying city of Emberhold, a nameless stranger falls through, carrying a power that shouldn’t exist and memories he can’t recall. Known in myth as the Eternal Voyager, his arrival awakens an ancient evil bent on capturing his power. All that stands in front of the last city in the world is a group of weary soldiers …
The project has gained early traction online, with numerous five-star reviews and enthusiastic feedback.
“This book was such a creative and exciting adventure for me. Its uniquely written style with its epic story drew me in and allowed me to slip into its world,” one reviewer wrote.
Another described it as a “beautifully crafted fantasy world made up of multiple realms, each with its own lore, history and distinct civilisations”.
Wollongong, Kiama and Shoalhaven libraries have already ordered their copies.
John says the concept came to him in a dream.
“The whole story is structured like a dream – it begins with nothingness, then creation emerges, but the void wants to take over and return everything to nothing,” he says.
“It’s like how a dream appears suddenly from nothing and then disappears when you wake up. That became the foundation and I built on it from there.”
The uncanny quality of dreams is, in fact, a recurring theme throughout the book.
“I want readers to question whether the story is real or a dream, whether it’s fiction or something else,” John said.
Voidhammer is a “chosen one” story — with a twist. Image: Voidhammer.
The book is the result of years of work. John, an IT tech by day, has spent the early morning hours and nights writing the book.
But there was also an inevitability to it, given he has been writing with the methodical approach of a seasoned author since he was about 10.
“I’d set rules like each chapter had to be 10 pages and just write whatever came to mind,” he says.
“I don’t remember what those stories were, but I always enjoyed writing. As I grew up, I drifted away from it, but a few years ago I decided to try again.
“I figured if I don’t start now, it’ll never happen.”
The Voidhammer universe has developed into something much bigger than John initially expected.
The emerging author has created a “lore bible” to maintain consistency in his fantasy realm, accompanied by a podcast-style series on YouTube and Spotify where two people discuss the material, often with a humorous take.
Readers can also discover lore snippers, tantalising source material and little hints about the story on the official Voidhammer TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
Better yet, John is already halfway through book two, which he expects to complete by August this year — so no endless waits to find out what happens next.
Purchase your copy of Voidhammer: The Shattered Gate at Social City in Wollongong or on Amazon, and follow John’s story on Instagram, YouTube or TikTok for updates.
