About the Book
Book: Quest of Fire: Desperation
Author: Brett Armstrong
Genre: Christian, Epic Fantasy
Release Date: September 13, 2022
Guarding his nation’s last hope, a teen must escape enemy lands.
While Anargen, Caeserus, and Bertinand are held captive in Stormridge, the war to restore Ecthelowall’s Commonwealth has been waged for months. Their friend Terrillian is on its frontline and hopes are high.
For Barons Fenwrest and Sornfold the fight is too close to their children, whose union represents the only viable challenge to the Monarchists claim to Ecthelowall’s ancient throne. Enter Thomas Fenwrest, an orphan and page to Sir Hurstwell, who is captain of Baron Fenwrest’s guard. The pair must escort the teens to Castle Yerst expecting boredom to be their only danger. Everything quickly spirals out of control when the Monarchists somehow deliver a devastating blow to the Restoration army and Thomas and Sir Hurstwell face the increasingly difficult task of keeping their charges alive. Ancient sorcery and bitter grudges combine to ensnare them. As desperation sets in for the Restoration and Thomas, to where will they turn for hope?
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About the Author
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.
More from Brett
There are three things I’ve come to learn that define what Quest of Fire is and means to me. When I first started writing the Quest of Fire series years ago, I knew I wanted to tell a big story set in an even bigger world. One with all the depth and breadth of my favorite series: Lord of the Rings and Star Wars and Chronicles of Narnia. Over time, the main story of Quest of Fire and the Lowlands it’s set in have grown every bit as big and fantastical as I always dreamed.
But there was a second something I realized I wanted to do with the series as much and more than tell sweeping stories. I wanted people to be able to zoom in on the sprawling maps and look closer and closer, and see people who look real, relatable. People with struggles and questions and who don’t always feel prepared for what comes next. So, I wanted to make even numbered books in the series novellas that zoom in and tell very personal and targeted stories.
Like Thomas’s in Book 4, Desperation. Unlike Anargen in the main entries, he wasn’t raised by Knights of Light and had a rough childhood. He has plenty to be bitter about and in Desperation his world is imploding around him. He’s overwhelmed at first and then he meets a Knight of Light, Terrillian, who steps out of the main storyline to be a mentor and shows Thomas what the life of one in service to the High King of All Realms looks like. How there is light even on the darkest of nights. We never know how much and how many will be impacted when we make a stand for Christ and we model his love and teachings before others. Likewise, Terrillian may not realize how profound his faithfulness will affect Thomas.
I write Quest of Fire to tell stories to encourage believers to stand firm in the faith, to join the fight against monsters in the pages of books so that when’s life’s beasts come against us we’re better equipped to face them. At least that is my hope and my prayer. Because the most important thing I learned I wanted Quest of Fire to be is a story that helps people better understand and join in the Greatest Story written by the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Blog Stops
Texas Book-aholic, August 10
By the Book, August 11
Blogging With Carol, August 12
Artistic Nobody, August 13 (Author Interview)
Christina’s Corner, August 13
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 15
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 16
Through the Fire Blogs, August 17 (Author Interview)
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 19 (Author Interview)
Mornings at Character Cafe, August 19
Holly’s book Corner, August 20
Guild Master, August 21
The Book Club Network, August 22
Splashes of Joy, August 23 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, copy of Desperation, and digital extras (exclusive map and music)!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Review:
I am stuck in the middle on this book.
I enjoy fantasy and speculative fiction; I actually started out writing fantasy and finalled in some contests but, alas, haven't published in that arena yet. All to say that I do enjoy it.
However, I'm not sure about this one. I spent a good bit of time confused as to who the leaders were of the good guys vs. the bad guys. We only get to know the one character, Thomas, well, and all others seem more shadow figures.
There are good fight scenes and good wins in the end, but I'm still not sure.
The bonus chapter made no sense to me whatsoever...sorry.
So, overall, I'm not sure I recommend this book--perhaps I needed to start at the beginning, but I still don't find the depth in the characters I prefer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit; I was not required to give a positive review and my opinions are my own.
Question, Readers--are you more interested in the characters or the plot of a book?