Greetings travelers, and welcome to our first stop in the Otherworld for this week. If you’re like us, you’ve been looking for an escape of some kind, and we’ve got a perfect one for you to adventure toward. We’ve been on a bit of a sci-fi kick lately, and we’ll be back with some more of that tomorrow, but we’re going to be looking at a wonderful gaslamp fantasy today instead. If that’s got you intrigued, read on to learn more about Wings of Ember.
Spend just a few moments in author Michael R. Schacht’s debut novel Wings of Ember, and you’ll recognize someone who is dedicated to their craft and eager to please their fans. This gaslamp fantasy feels like it’s part of a rich, lived-in world, as though in experiencing it, readers are looking through a window into another realm that’s always been there. While Schacht certainly puts a good deal of the story on well-liked protagonists Dayne and Nalada, and the supporting cast, they never feel like they’ve been dropped into a world that is being constructed around them. That’s not to say that there’s not an engineering feel to things, mind you. The author shows his passion for the gaslamp subgenre across each chapter, leaving the story dripping with style. And Schacht presents magic in ways you don’t often see, either, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as they wait for what comes next.
A string of disappearances, stolen magic, and a looming insurgence; the city of Eldramere is at its breaking point. At the center of it all is the Umbral Guard, an elite force that controls the city’s magic with an iron grip.
After watching arcane forces tear their family apart, cousins Dayne and Nalada trained their whole lives to join. Dayne wants to make amends for the past; Nalada aims to carve her way to leadership. Both aspire to dedicate their lives to preventing further magical tragedies.
However, upon receiving an invitation, the celebrations are cut short when their childhood friend is spirited away while magic is pilfered right from the city’s vaults. Worse yet, a growing militia is openly protesting the Umbral Guard’s restrictions.
As secrets and intrigue push Dayne and Nalada on diverging paths, their city threatens to implode around them. To find their friend, both must confront the past and remember the Umbral Guard’s first rule: magic is fleeting, but its impact endures.
Stepping into the world of Terideal is like learning about thousands of years of history, and joining at a particularly exciting point in time. Calling Schacht a writer or an author is incredibly reductive, as he’s spun up an entire universe that’s ripe for exploration, and still manages to make the smaller intimate moments feel spectacular. Across the story, readers will get a sense that they’re partaking in the start of something brilliant, with formidable ongoing potential, but also a satisfying conclusion. If a captivating world, interesting characters, and a stellar story have caught your attention, don’t wait. Check out Wings of Ember, by Michael R. Schact, on Amazon today!
The post Fantasy Promo – Wings of Ember was originally posted on Tellest.com. Please note, as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Images provided courtesy of Andrew Charles.
