10.27.2020

The Gathering Dark ~ Review with Giveaway

Quest of Fire Blog + Review Tour 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for 
Quest of Fire: Succession & The Gathering Dark by Brett Armstrong, 

The Gathering Dark
Quest of Fire #1
By Brett Armstrong

Stumbling into an inn to escape the rain is a pivotal moment in the life of Jason Landsby. If he hadn't been trying to find a temporary refuge from the storm he would not have heard the story the old innkeeper was relating - a story of long ago when the world teetered on the edge of the abyss of darkness. But the past as portrayed by the innkeeper is viewed as the mutterings of an old man. But these mutterings are also forbidden and just by listening Jason is endangering himself.

But what story could so enrapture Jason you ask? The relating of Anargen and the quest he undertakes for the High King. A fabled being even in Anargen's day to those who refused to believe or listen to his call. But Anargen has heard the King's call - a vision hinting at the quest he is to undertake. But before he can start out he must pledge himself to the King's call and become a Knight of the Light. His only hesitation is that it will take him far from the only home he has ever known and from those he loves. 

But Anargen is not setting out alone, accompanied by his mentor Sir Cinaed and three friends, who are also Knights of the Light on their first quest. But this quest will challenge them and their thinking. They will face what they thought were only legends and myths. They will confront a darkness that threatens to destroy not only them but the world that they know. To fight the darkness they will have to grow up quickly and learn to put their trust in the quiet whisperings of the High King. And they will have to help others find their way back to the truth - for only in the High King's strength can they hope to overcome what is certain to be their defeat and death.

Those who enjoy the timeless works of C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia), J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings), newer works by Patrick Carr, Thomas Locke, Nadine Brandes, and S.D. Grimm will find themselves drawn to this book just as Jason is drawn to the story of Anargen.  I would say the book is between Chronicles and LOTR as far as length. The book has an epic feel to it and it will be interesting to see where the series goes from here as this is the first book in it.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but to provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Be sure to check out my review of Succession here

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ABOUT THE BOOK 

The Gathering Dark
Title: The Gathering Dark 
Series: Quest of Fire #1 
Author: Brett Armstrong 
Publisher: Expanse Books 
Release Date: June 24, 2020 
Genre: Christian Epic Fantasy 

Jason is an expert at running from his past. But when it catches up, he finds himself hiding in a peculiar inn listening to a tale from centuries past. 

The story is Anargen’s, a teen who is pulled from all he loves to follow his oaths of loyalty to the fabled King of the Realms. Together with his mentor, Cinaed, he rides north on a special quest to mediate peace talks between ancient foes—the men of Ecthelowall and the dwarfs of Ordumair. Nothing goes as planned. Many on both sides of the dispute despise Anargen’s Order. Worse, an arcane evil has returned to the North. This “Grey Scourge” seeks to ruin the peace talks and ensure a lost treasure held by the dwarfs is never found by those for whom it is meant. 

As Anargen’s story unfolds, Jason begins to wonder whether it is truly just a fable. He soon finds himself drawn into the conflict Anargen faced. A battle that has shaped and can destroy his world.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brett Armstrong

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Day Moon and Veiled Sun), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

CONNECT WITH BRETT: Website | Facebook | Twitter


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a story inspired prize package including: 
• One copy of The Gathering Dark and Succession 
(Winner’s choice print or e-book) 
Custom signed bookplates for each if the print format was chosen 
• One copy of Wardrobes, Wizards, and Halflings: A Faith in Fiction Devotional 
(Winner’s choice print or e-book) 
• Two pieces of book swag (winner’s choice from book swag pics) 
• Flash Drive with Digital print of previously unreleased The Gathering Dark artwork, MP4 of Quest of Fire’s theme music “Lament for Father” and Digital poster “The Making of Wirgerd” describing the visual and story development of Succession’s monstrous villain!

Quest of Fire JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. 
The full tour schedule linked below. 
The giveaway will begin at midnight on October 26, 2020, 
and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 2, 2020. 
The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 
Open to the US only. 
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


 

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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