Beneath the Gilding: Umbren

A Sci-Fi Progression Fantasy Series (Beneath the Gilding, Book 1)

By: Joshua Rettew

Narrated by: Spencer Glenn Miller

Darkness advances, guilds scheme, and the people suffer.

Everette’s had enough.

Aboard a massive ark-ship crossing the interstellar void, generations have already lived and died in the fractured cityscape of the Wards. Shadow-touched monsters now stalk the deep corridors of the ship, only held at bay by the Golden warriors wielding powerful magi-tech.

But Everette Highspire has discovered from within that the Golden’s mandate is a lie–an excuse to enforce oppression in the name of the catatonic celestials hidden away on the ship’s Core.

Gathering a handful of outcasts around him, Everette is determined to forge a pure path leading a new Guild–one that’s worthy of its power. But his enemies are multiplying and even his allies are not all they seem.

Can Everette and his burgeoning Guild carve out a foothold, or will the darkness claim more casualties?

©2025 Joshua Rettew (P)2025 Royal Guard Publishing LLC

Excellently crafted Characters in a Rich world!

Ive been a fan of Josh's Work since his first book, Gene Harvest, and Umbra was able to deliver the same style of character focused narratives that drew me in. The characters make you care about them and their stories. The setting is rich and offers just enough of a peak behind the curtain to leave you wanting more. Just as im waiting on pins and needles for the next installment of Crimson Hydra, the next book in "Beneath the gilding" cant come soon enough! I recommend both series to anyone looking for new books with gripping settings and characters you love to love!