Risingshadow
Speculative Fiction Books Database
  • Main
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Articles
    • Newsletter
    • Terms of Service
    • Staff Members
    • Finnish (FI)
  • Browse
    • Activity Feed
    • New Books
    • Upcoming Books
    • Advanced Search
    • Book Reviews
    • Genres & Tags
    • Submit Book
  • Wall
    • Community Wall
    • Recent Messages
    • Recent Topics
    • Hot Topics
    • Popular Topics
    • Search
  • Challenge
    • Reading Challenge
    • Book Trivia Quiz
  • Sign In

Desert of the Soul

UnderVerse #8 / 9
by Jez Cajiao
Desert of the Soul (UnderVerse #8) by Jez Cajiao
  ⧗ 9.50 / 2
1★2★3★4★5★6★7★8★19★110★

Stranded thousands of miles form their companions, Jax, Oracle and Sehran are alone, cut off from all support, and the only thing they have in plenty, are enemies.

Stranded on a hostile continent with only his companions, Jax faces a stark reality: all the power of his newfound crown means nothing in a land where no one knows his name—and wouldn't care if they did. With time running out and shadows gathering, he needs to carve out more than just survival from this foreign soil.

The Tower of Gaij looms on the horizon, an ancient fortress of power that could be their salvation. But in these lands, nothing worth taking comes without blood. As rival claimants gather and forgotten powers stir in the darkness, Jax will have to embrace the ruthless lessons the UnderVerse has taught him—or lose everything he's fought to protect.

It turns out building an empire was the easy part. Keeping alive long enough to return to it? That's going to take something darker than mere leadership.

In a land where every shadow hides a blade, even a prince must remember: crowns make excellent targets.

Amazon Pre-Order: Check Availability

Book Pre-Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

Your Expectation Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves
Add this book to your "To Read" or Wishlist to get the latest release updates

Join the Ongoing Discussion
Start a New Topic (No Account Needed - Visitors Welcome)
Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!
Updated 05/10/2025
Category: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, LitRPG
Release date: June 13, 2025

Submit Missing Book

Jez Cajiao

Jez Cajiao

Jez Cajiao's journey to becoming a full-time author is as unexpected and adventurous as the stories he now tells. Born in 1980 in Hartlepool, UK, Jez’s early life didn’t follow the traditional path that one might expect for a writer. Instead, he found himself working in his family’s catering business from the age of 11, and later, trying his hand at a variety of other careers—from bar work in Greece to welding. It wasn’t until a series of health challenges forced a career shift that Jez discovered his true calling: writing.

Read more ...

In 2020, during a period of furlough, he began to write daily, channeling his creativity into the novel Brightblade, which marked the start of his literary career. What began as a way to pass the time quickly grew into a passion, and Jez has since written several series, including UnderVerse, Rise of Mankind, and Arise. His works are an engaging blend of dark LitRPG and fantasy, with thrilling action, complex characters, and a touch of humor that resonates with fans of the genre.

Jez's writing is not just about adventure; it's about the journey of self-discovery and survival in worlds where the stakes are high, and the consequences of failure can be devastating. His characters face impossible odds, often with the odds stacked against them, but it’s their wit, resilience, and raw humanity that shine through. Readers are drawn to his ability to combine gripping action with moments of introspection, all while delivering stories that feel fresh and immersive.

When he’s not writing, Jez lives in the North of England with his wife, two sons, two cats, and an energetic dog who’s always up for a game of "zoomies" around the garden. Despite the chaos of family life, Jez remains deeply connected with his readers, offering updates and sneak peeks into upcoming projects via social media platforms like Facebook.

Through his work, Jez Cajiao has carved out a unique space in the world of LitRPG and fantasy, and it’s clear that he’s just getting started. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to his world, his stories promise to deliver the kind of action and depth that make you feel like you’re right there, fighting alongside the characters.

UnderVerse

Step into the UnderVerse, where the boundary between game and reality is thin, and every choice carries unimaginable consequences. In this dark, immersive series, the stakes aren’t just life and death—they’re identity, survival, and the endless pursuit of power. The UnderVerse is a world crafted not just from pixels and code but from desperation and ambition, a place where the line between hero and villain blurs with every new chapter.

Read more ...

At the heart of the story is Jax, a man thrust into an unforgiving virtual world where the cost of failure isn’t just losing a level—it's losing everything. What begins as a reluctant journey soon becomes an exploration of the human spirit, questioning what it means to fight, to evolve, and to be truly alive. As Jax grapples with monstrous creatures, power-hungry factions, and his own growing darkness, readers are pulled into a web of choices where trust is a luxury, and every ally could become an enemy.

The UnderVerse series is more than a LitRPG—it’s a journey through a landscape where the rules of reality don’t apply, and the consequences of each decision echo throughout the narrative. The world-building is rich, layered with deep lore, dangerous factions, and a constant tension between order and chaos. It's a place where betrayal is common, and the price of ambition can break even the strongest souls.

With each installment, the series takes a darker turn, building on its complex characters and the increasingly perilous world around them. Jax isn’t just fighting monsters—he’s facing the very nature of power itself, and in doing so, he reveals unsettling truths about the UnderVerse and about himself. The atmosphere is tense and gritty, never letting up as the plot weaves through betrayals, revelations, and battles that leave you questioning who the true enemy is.

Perfect for fans of high-stakes adventure, dark fantasy, and complex character arcs, the UnderVerse is a series that doesn’t just challenge its characters—but challenges its readers to think about the cost of everything. As alliances shift and enemies emerge from every corner, one question remains: Can you survive in a world that wants to break you?


UnderVerse consists of seven books — series is set to expand with the upcoming release of two more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Brightblade (UnderVerse #1)
not yet rated
The Forgotten Faithful (UnderVerse #2)
not yet rated
City of Fallen Souls (UnderVerse #3)
not yet rated
Titan (UnderVerse #4)
not yet rated
Citadel (UnderVerse #5)
not yet rated
Empire Ascendant (UnderVerse #6)
not yet rated
Dark Tide Rising (UnderVerse #7)
not yet rated
Desert of the Soul (UnderVerse #8)
  ⧗ 9.50 / 2
UnderVerse Book 9 (UnderVerse #9)
  ⧗ 8.00 / 1


Back to Top
  • Risingshadow
  • Browse
  • Jez Cajiao
  • UnderVerse
  • Desert of the Soul
Hosted by Planeetta Internet Oy
© 1996 - 2025 Risingshadow. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Privacy Policy