
Evoker
The Dyrnwyn Strain, Book 1
by Josh Erikson
Narrated by Josh Erikson
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Pub Date 20 Feb 2025 | Archive Date 6 Apr 2025
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Description
A new sci-fantasy adventure for fans of Neuromancer and Ready Player One.
In a future built on beautiful illusions, there's nothing more dangerous than the truth.
The world has embraced the EVO, a neural chip that grants constant access to networks at a thought, and the ability to interact with reality through any filters imaginable. And for Michael Balder, it’s everything wrong with society. But when his older daughter goes missing, he has no choice but to wade into those frenetic shadows to find the clues hidden within the prototype game she left behind. Together with his younger daughter, they delve into a new world layered over their own, fighting for answers as the city quickly transforms into a monster-infested nightmare. And when a violent cabal emerges to steal the program, Michael discovers that he has strange new powers to fight back. But the only way to win is to play...
The Dyrnwyn Strain is a new sci-fantasy trilogy with gamelit elements, set in a near future where technology has been left to evolve unchecked, twisted to alter reality, and exploited to maximize profits at the expense of humanity. So, you know...fiction.
Advance Praise
"There are books you read slowly, a few pages or a chapter at a time, and there are books you don't put down until you look up from the last page. "Evoker" is from that second group. It rushes headlong into trouble and never slows down, careening from peril to heartbreak to peril at a relentless pace. Inventive and innovative- you won't be disappointed." - William, Goodreads
Marketing Plan
We're just going on vibes here. No due dates or requirements. Happy reading!
We're just going on vibes here. No due dates or requirements. Happy reading!
Available Editions
EDITION | Audiobook, Unabridged |
ISBN | 9098300450380 |
PRICE | US$24.95 (USD) |
DURATION | 10 Hours, 24 Minutes |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

Evoker takes us on a day’s journey: sadness, stress, puzzles, and triumphs. A man who lost his wife and is saddled with crippling debt is trying to keep his head above water while shielding his two college-age daughters from the precariousness of their financial situation. But of course kids know what’s happening, and the eldest takes matters into her own hands. From this point, we are off on a roller-coaster of a virtual reality “game” of high stakes. It’s engaging and inventive. While the dad-as-hero is slow to give his daughters credit for their skills, he clearly believes he is putting their best interests first. It’s easy to root for this family. It’s a more grown-up version of Ready, Player One in terms of the gaming experience, with much higher stakes. I look forward to listening to the next two audiobooks in this trilogy. The author does an excellent job with the narration!
My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #Evoker for review purposes. It is now available, with the second (Revoker) due out in April 2025.

The story follows a father burdened by grief and financial woes, striving to protect his daughters from their precarious situation. This familial struggle propels them into a virtual reality game with life-altering consequences, drawing comparisons to "Ready Player One" but with a more mature tone and elevated stakes. Josh Erikson has the perfect Audio voice for this genre, he adds a depth to the story that’s missed from the physical book form. Really looking forward to the next instalments!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars)
Evoker is an absolute masterpiece—a mind-bending, high-octane blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and gamelit elements that had me completely immersed from start to finish. This book doesn’t just tell a story—it throws you into a vividly crafted, pulse-pounding world where technology, reality, and power collide in the most exhilarating way.
The premise is gripping: in a future where neural chips allow people to interact with reality in ways never before imagined, Michael Balder’s world is shattered when his daughter goes missing. What follows is a thrilling descent into a digital and physical battleground, where hidden secrets, nightmarish transformations, and dangerous enemies lurk in the shadows. The pacing? Flawless. The world-building? Phenomenal. And the twists? I was hooked.
But what made this book even better? Josh Erikson narrates it himself. And let me tell you—he is just as brilliant as a narrator as he is an author. His performance brings so much depth, energy, and nuance to the characters and action. You can feel every high-stakes moment, every emotional beat, making this one of the most immersive audiobooks I’ve ever experienced.
I loved Evoker so much that I immediately downloaded book two, and I will be reaching out to get a signed copy because this book needs to be on my shelf. If you love fast-paced cyberpunk-meets-fantasy adventures, expertly woven twists, and books that keep you thinking long after you’ve finished, Evoker is an absolute must-read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Josh Erikson, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to experience this phenomenal audiobook!
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