Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to help you better discover Blodium, its world, the series, and its author.
This FAQ covers the genre, reading order, science-fantasy themes, English editions, lore, and the creative process behind the books.
What genre is Blodium?
Blodium is best described as a science-fantasy saga: adventure, science fiction, combat, reflection, and a few fantasy codes woven into a world built around consciousness transfer, identity, memory, survival, and the mineral called Blodium. It is not a classic fantasy quest; the series gradually moves toward deeper science-fiction and philosophical questions.
What is the reading order?
The English reading order is Book One — The Transference, Book Two — The Call, then Book Three — The Two Worlds. Book One can be read as a complete first volume, while Books Two and Three continue the story directly.
Who is W. H. Lornell?
The author of Blodium, of course. More seriously, it is a pen name. I live in France and work as an ER physician. To paraphrase Victor Hugo, I am still in the old age of youth and have a little time before entering the youth of old age.
Where does the name “Blodium” come from?
“Blod” evokes blood, and “-ium” suggests a mineral. That is the simple origin of the name.
What reading age do you recommend?
Blodium has a dark tone, with combat that can sometimes be violent. I would recommend it for readers aged 14–15 and up.
Can the books be read independently?
Book One can be read on its own, with a satisfying ending. Books Two and Three continue directly from what came before.
How often do new books come out?
The release rhythm depends on the project and on the time required to bring each book to the right level. Blodium has been built through a demanding, long-term process, and each volume requires a major investment of time and energy.
How important are science and philosophy in the series?
They are very important. I enjoy theories and concepts that question reality. I am passionate about science in general, and I wanted to weave some of those ideas into the writing without making the story heavy or alienating readers who are less drawn to those themes.
How did the idea for this saga come to you?
Several years ago, starting from a concept: Blodium itself and the properties it could grant. I wanted to tell a story. Since I could not draw, I chose to write it. I began with a novel of roughly 70,000 words. A few people read it, and the feedback was encouraging, but I knew it was not strong enough yet. Having an idea and a concept does not automatically make a good story.
So I stepped back for a while to study storytelling, character construction, and related craft. I reread many books and discovered new ones. Then the motivation returned and I started again. It was better, but still not enough.
That process repeated itself several times. After four years, I finally wrote The Five Valleys, and everything became clearer. I was satisfied: I had the framework of the saga. Since then, I have worked on it relentlessly and devoted my free time to it.
What are your main influences?
They are varied: science fiction, fantasy, comics, and manga. I am especially drawn to Jorge Luis Borges, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Philip K. Dick, Frank Herbert, and H. P. Lovecraft. In Blodium, the names Jorwel and Aldus are not-so-subtle nods to Orwell and Huxley.
On the fantasy side, Tolkien is an obvious reference. As a teenager I devoured Forgotten Realms novels, especially the books around Drizzt. I also read a great deal of comics and manga. I had my shōnen phase, and I am still a major fan of more mature works such as Berserk, Vinland Saga, and Claymore.
In video games, I am old enough to have experienced the release of the very first Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale, both rooted in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. In film, I especially appreciate works such as The Matrix, Dark City, and Jacob’s Ladder, all of which question reality.
Do you work alone or with help?
My brother is a dedicated early reader and helps me with plot and narrative construction as I write. My best friend also helps a great deal in discussing ideas and concepts, as well as with the work surrounding the books’ promotion.
We also formed a partnership with illustrator Nitch, who now creates the covers. We are currently working on an illustrated edition of Book One.
What is your view on AI?
It is a powerful tool, but one surrounded by many fantasies. We can see it clearly: Amazon is now full of automatically generated content, often at the expense of quality.
When it comes to novel writing, I believe we are still far from the real thing. AI can suggest ideas or structure, but it often falls back on stale tropes and automatisms. It does not create a voice or an emotion. Writing a novel is, above all, a human adventure, and readers can feel that.
On the other hand, AI can be useful for proofreading, spotting repetitions, or helping with occasional rephrasing. The key is that the author remains in control of the text. It does not replace professional editing or the human experience that comes with it.
From my point of view, AI is especially useful for everything around publication: layout, formats, and technical tasks. It can be a good assistant for improving the quality of self-publishing.
As for the cover, my very first version was created with the help of AI because I lacked the resources at the time. But the current covers were entrusted to a professional illustrator in order to give Blodium the visual identity it deserves.
The subject is fascinating and remains open to debate, but I believe the novel still has a long future ahead of it. In fact, AI itself becomes an important theme in Book Three.