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Beyond the Tempest Gate
Gabriel Aterias spent his entire life preparing for one thing: to slay the demon Elezear in its black nest beyond the Tempest Gate.
By the time he was 24, he had already led the Church's armies to greater victories than any man before him. He slayed the pagan giant Emir and left him dead atop his mountain. He conquered the barabarian tribes of the south. He hunted down every last dragon in the world and snuffed them out completely.
Yet, now he prepares to face an evil that defies human understanding, an evil that existed long before the human world.
There are those who say that his quest will spell the end of humankind. For Gabriel, the fearful uncertainty of the detractor's is merely cowardice and a lack of faith.
Is Gabriel Aterias the savior of the world, or is he the narcisist that will usher in its destruction?
The answer lies beyond the Tempest Gate.
By the time he was 24, he had already led the Church's armies to greater victories than any man before him. He slayed the pagan giant Emir and left him dead atop his mountain. He conquered the barabarian tribes of the south. He hunted down every last dragon in the world and snuffed them out completely.
Yet, now he prepares to face an evil that defies human understanding, an evil that existed long before the human world.
There are those who say that his quest will spell the end of humankind. For Gabriel, the fearful uncertainty of the detractor's is merely cowardice and a lack of faith.
Is Gabriel Aterias the savior of the world, or is he the narcisist that will usher in its destruction?
The answer lies beyond the Tempest Gate.
- GenresFantasy
78 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2013
1 person is currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Suwak
22 books44 followersJeff Suwak writes things. Sometimes he gets lucky, and it ends up being pretty good.
Please buy his books. He hasn't eaten in days.
Please buy his books. He hasn't eaten in days.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 17, 2020
In this tale, a holy knight is unflinching in his determination and call to defeat an ancient demon. But things are not always clear when matter of faith meet unexpected circumstance. Jeff not only writes an excellent, engaging fantasy tale, but a tale that examines faith itself. Highly recommended.
October 31, 2013
... his [Suwak| writing, his ability to bring the world to life and raise uncomfortable questions in the reader in such a short amount of time really says something for the author. He has some very real potential, and I cannot wait to see what he can create with a full-length novel and some nice wiggle room.
Read my full review here:
http://www.bookwormblues.net/2013/10/...
Read my full review here:
http://www.bookwormblues.net/2013/10/...
August 29, 2013
As I write this review, I can't help but feel the plainness of my words when measured to the tale Jeff Suwak has wrought. It has been years since I've experienced anything like Beyond the Tempest Gate, and even the closest comparison is a pale thing.
I suppose if I were one to make comparisons it would be something like:
"Beyond the Tempest Gate, as written by Jeff Suwak, takes the deep emotional journey of The Wizard of Earthsea and combines it with the poetic beauty and tragedy of The Name of the Wind."
But this type of analogy would be inaccurate and ill-considered. The truth is, Jeff Suwak is a master artisan in a room full of ragamuffin peddlers. He takes everything that is dark about contemporary fantasy and molds it together with all the themes we miss from tragedies like "Oedipus Rex," Beowulf, The Iliad...
Bah! I'm making comparisons again. The point is, you need to read Beyond the Tempest Gate. It's only about 70 pages, but packed into those pages is the harrowing tragedy of a man named Gabriel Aterias with more hubris than North Korea holding an atomic bomb.
The Holy Knight Gabriel discovers an old prophecy of a boy who will some day rid the world of a great and powerful demon. I mean, really, after hearing such a story who wouldn't fancy himself a hero? But Gabriel goes above and beyond boyish fancy and takes this prophecy upon himself into a tempest of dedication. He will stop at nothing to fulfill his own prophecy, even if it means the loss of his own immortal soul.
The Tempest Gate will pull the reader to and fro, never willing to let go. Even after a bout of cathartic weeping you'll stop to ponder the life you've been living. At what point do we begin to believe the lies we tell ourselves? Is a mask as good as the face we wear beneath? I think Kurt Vonnegut had it right when he wrote, "We are what we pretend to be[...]so we must be careful about what we pretend to be."
If you're looking for something new, for a contemplative and entertaining work of literature in a genre saturated with escapism, check out Beyond The Tempest Gate by Jeff Suwak. You won't be disappointed. - See more at: http://www.creativewritingtime.com/wi...
I suppose if I were one to make comparisons it would be something like:
"Beyond the Tempest Gate, as written by Jeff Suwak, takes the deep emotional journey of The Wizard of Earthsea and combines it with the poetic beauty and tragedy of The Name of the Wind."
But this type of analogy would be inaccurate and ill-considered. The truth is, Jeff Suwak is a master artisan in a room full of ragamuffin peddlers. He takes everything that is dark about contemporary fantasy and molds it together with all the themes we miss from tragedies like "Oedipus Rex," Beowulf, The Iliad...
Bah! I'm making comparisons again. The point is, you need to read Beyond the Tempest Gate. It's only about 70 pages, but packed into those pages is the harrowing tragedy of a man named Gabriel Aterias with more hubris than North Korea holding an atomic bomb.
The Holy Knight Gabriel discovers an old prophecy of a boy who will some day rid the world of a great and powerful demon. I mean, really, after hearing such a story who wouldn't fancy himself a hero? But Gabriel goes above and beyond boyish fancy and takes this prophecy upon himself into a tempest of dedication. He will stop at nothing to fulfill his own prophecy, even if it means the loss of his own immortal soul.
The Tempest Gate will pull the reader to and fro, never willing to let go. Even after a bout of cathartic weeping you'll stop to ponder the life you've been living. At what point do we begin to believe the lies we tell ourselves? Is a mask as good as the face we wear beneath? I think Kurt Vonnegut had it right when he wrote, "We are what we pretend to be[...]so we must be careful about what we pretend to be."
If you're looking for something new, for a contemplative and entertaining work of literature in a genre saturated with escapism, check out Beyond The Tempest Gate by Jeff Suwak. You won't be disappointed. - See more at: http://www.creativewritingtime.com/wi...
September 23, 2013
Caveat-- I am only an intermittent reader of fantasy. I purchased this book, however, because I'm familiar with Mr. Suwak's lit fic short stories and had a hunch that any book of his would be both interesting and well-written. I was not disappointed.
Beyond the Tempest Gate is one of the most well-written genre works I have encountered. I'd go as far to say that the level of artistry in his prose causes this book to transcend the usual limitations of commercial/genre fiction and places it squarely in the category of "literature." His word choice is impeccable, and every sentence is carefully crafted. His style encapsulates both a crisp economy of words and an innate ability to exploit the poetic potential of prose. He utilizes alliteration, assonance, and consonance to a marvelous effect within the constraints of short, tight, direct sentences. Very few writers are able to produce prose that is both concise and beautiful; Mr. Suwak is one such writer.
The themes and cultural allusions found in Beyond the Tempest Gate are of a depth and complexity that one rarely finds in any contemporary work, let alone in one marketed as a genre work. Mr. Suwak is clearly attuned to the western canon and fully understands the mythic significance of the hero's journey. As I read this I couldn't help but feel echoes of Hesse, Nietzsche, and T.S. Eliot.
I gave Beyond the Tempest Gate four stars because I'm judging it against the works Mr. Suwak has yet to publish, likely yet to write, but that I am confident he eventually will if he continues to write. This is a very well-written and thought provoking short novel which leaves the reader with interesting, if uncomfortable, questions to consider once the last page is turned; an excellent effort for a first book that clearly shows the signs of potential greatness in works to come.
Beyond the Tempest Gate is one of the most well-written genre works I have encountered. I'd go as far to say that the level of artistry in his prose causes this book to transcend the usual limitations of commercial/genre fiction and places it squarely in the category of "literature." His word choice is impeccable, and every sentence is carefully crafted. His style encapsulates both a crisp economy of words and an innate ability to exploit the poetic potential of prose. He utilizes alliteration, assonance, and consonance to a marvelous effect within the constraints of short, tight, direct sentences. Very few writers are able to produce prose that is both concise and beautiful; Mr. Suwak is one such writer.
The themes and cultural allusions found in Beyond the Tempest Gate are of a depth and complexity that one rarely finds in any contemporary work, let alone in one marketed as a genre work. Mr. Suwak is clearly attuned to the western canon and fully understands the mythic significance of the hero's journey. As I read this I couldn't help but feel echoes of Hesse, Nietzsche, and T.S. Eliot.
I gave Beyond the Tempest Gate four stars because I'm judging it against the works Mr. Suwak has yet to publish, likely yet to write, but that I am confident he eventually will if he continues to write. This is a very well-written and thought provoking short novel which leaves the reader with interesting, if uncomfortable, questions to consider once the last page is turned; an excellent effort for a first book that clearly shows the signs of potential greatness in works to come.
November 6, 2013
The double-edged sword of so-called genre fiction, of course, is that the form can either serve as the anchoring melody upon which the artist improvises, or the leaden burden that pulls all lightness and joy down beneath the dark surface of staid obligations and conventions. Beyond the Tempest Gate, a pithy tale as direct and determined as its cliché-killing hero, follows the first path, turning expectations on their head and establishing unexpected tensions between traditional thematic elements. This makes it the perfect fantasy story for either a newb like me or a devotee of the genre. Even I know enough about fantasy (I think) to realize when Jeff Suwak is veering off the beaten path. The hero faces a test and/or series of temptations: totally cool. The hero might be a douche? That’s a bit unsettling…and real. So what do you do with a fantasy tale that’s dirty and gritty and real? You read it like crazy and you mull it over afterwards like a tornado that leaves the car in the driveway upside down but the tulips along the front walk standing tall. I’m not the only one: read the other reviews. Suwak is a talented writer who describes his world succinctly and effectively. As in his hero’s exploits, there is no wasted effort. Even the fantastical elements are presented with confident, believable matter-of-factness like Rod Serling’s “Submitted for your approval.” Read Beyond the Tempest Gate. It’s fantasy for the 21st century.
October 9, 2013
Jeff Suwak’s Beyond the Tempest Gate is a fantastic read.
Why?
Because this Authors mastery of the written English language and understanding of crafting an interesting and entertaining tale cannot be denied or missed.
If he were a chef this would be one of the most delicious meals you have ever eaten.
The luscious details in the descriptions fill your gullet and make you want to rub your tummy while humming MMMMMMM.
A classic tale of heroism on a quest for greatness takes a twist as you find yourself not only not liking the hero, but as the story unfolds rooting for his failure.
Young Gabriel can be summed up in one word. Hubris.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...
Exaggerated pride or self-confidence.
Just to put it into perspective.
In ancient Greece hubris was punishable by the gods because it was considered a crime against the gods, thinking you were equal to or above divinity.
Our fanatical Gabriel fulfilled my twisted need for the unusual.
Usually the hero starts off unlikable but through trial and strife grow to be the Men (or Women) the world can be proud of.
Not Gabriel even his most grand sacrifice is done only to fulfill his own needs and further his own agenda.
If I have whetted your appetite for this treat, you can find it through jeffsuwak.com or directly through Amazon and B&N.
October 23, 2013
Jeff Suwak's novella Beyond the Tempest Gate is the perfect example of a story that doesn't have to use filler or worry about a word count to be absolutely amazing. For me, as I read this story, it felt like Mr. Suwak must have already had the entire thing in his head before he wrote the first word. Every part of the story was necessary, every moment an exciting segue into the next.
Being under 100 pages, I was able to read Beyond the Tempest Gate quickly--almost too quickly. I didn't want it to be over. The world that was created fully captured my attention in those short pages, leaving me thinking long after I finished reading about the plight of not just the poor, deluded, main character (or was he deluded???) but also of the caretakers on the island and all those back in 'the world' who were oblivious the sacrifice that was being made on their behalf.
This is an absolutely perfect setup for a prequel, and—depending on what the author may want decide with regard to Gabriel's ultimate fate—a sequel of epic proportions.
I cannot say enough good things about Jeff Suwak's writing. You will see his name in the future.
Being under 100 pages, I was able to read Beyond the Tempest Gate quickly--almost too quickly. I didn't want it to be over. The world that was created fully captured my attention in those short pages, leaving me thinking long after I finished reading about the plight of not just the poor, deluded, main character (or was he deluded???) but also of the caretakers on the island and all those back in 'the world' who were oblivious the sacrifice that was being made on their behalf.
This is an absolutely perfect setup for a prequel, and—depending on what the author may want decide with regard to Gabriel's ultimate fate—a sequel of epic proportions.
I cannot say enough good things about Jeff Suwak's writing. You will see his name in the future.
October 5, 2013
First I would like to start out by saying that this was a good reads first read giveaway. I gave it a 4 star because it honestly wasn't long enough and the ending made you want more. It was different and very descriptive but not to the point that it takes away from the story. You could picture the people and the island as if you were standing there. I like how he threw a nice twist in the story, its something I didn't expect and to think, a lot of issues could have been solved and prevented if there weren't so many lies.... Mr Suwak is a talented author and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, I truly hope that he continues the story. I would really like to find out what happens to Gabriel and Elezar after their confrontation. So I would definitely recommend reading this book, it is worth a first read.
July 17, 2014
The character development in this novella is wonderful. The author creates a main character who is believable and someone to which I could relate. Although the cover was what intrigued me, the author's beautiful and intricate use of language was what kept me interested. When I first read the line "All light is forged in war with darkness," the writer in me secretly hoped that line would be repeated, using emphasis that would really make it stand out - and that is exactly what happened. Loved it.
I would definitely recommend this author to anyone, and suggest reading some of his other works; for example, I also really enjoyed "No Punchline."
You will not be disappointed.
I would definitely recommend this author to anyone, and suggest reading some of his other works; for example, I also really enjoyed "No Punchline."
You will not be disappointed.
July 4, 2014
I really enjoyed this story. The narrative is written in an archaic and 'wordy' style that really fits well with the fantasy genre. All in all a very enjoyable read. There is a significant amount of world building for a short novella and this pays off. The world inhabited by the *** SPOILER ALERT*** Knight has a lot of depth because of this. The story line is good and the notion of the tempest gate itself intriguing. As with many good tales, the ending is open to interpretation by the reader, who is left wondering 'What really happened here?'. The author certainly shows promise for the and I will be awaiting future releases to see what comes next.
June 28, 2014
Author Jeff Suwak's debut novella is a brilliantly concise and timeless tale about the true meaning of duty and honor. Gabriel is not a deluded madman. If anything, he's a dutiful knight/soldier who is pursuing a quest based on faulty data or limited knowledge. Like many of us, Gabriel's actions are guided by myth and legend that has been naturally distorted over time. It's not until he looks the beast in the eye that he realizes the truth. On his quest, Gabriel learns that the true reward for service may not be stature or distinction, but rather sacrifice.
November 15, 2013
Sadly, the blurb about this novella is somewhat inadequate. It has much more going on than a quest and an evil demon. At its heart, there are secrets, doubt, discoveries and faith. The author does an amazing job of getting into the heart of the story without an unnecessary and boring tour of a world and peoples we don't care about.
August 4, 2017
For those of you into Sword and Sorcery, this Byronic tale of a hero with a destiny hits all the high notes: political intrigue, prophecies, monsters of various sorts – including monsters of the prosaic kind (fearful people in the way of necessary change) as well as monsters with actual fangs. The world building is good. My only quibble is a slight overuse of flashbacks, but the author makes those work.
The ending to this novella was not what I expected, and stayed with me for a long time afterward.
The ending to this novella was not what I expected, and stayed with me for a long time afterward.
Read
July 8, 2015For those who don't know me, I'm going to start this by saying that I’ve not been myself of late, which has affected my reading. I think this book will be loved by a lot of people, just not me at this point in time.
“From a distance, the writhing mass resembled some primordial, bubbling tar pit from which all the nightmares of the world fought for shape and the right to be born.”
This had sooooo much potential to capture me wholly. It’s basically about a knight who sets out on a quest to vanquish an evil demon. So what failed? Well, for me, it was the main character. I get how characters are supposed to be flawed, how they’re not supposed to be perfect, but I found Gabriel off-putting. And it was very early on that I formed this opinion. His self-righteousness is definitely dealt as one of those character flaws, but little else offset it so nothing balanced his character enough for me to root for him. The more I read, the less and less I liked him. I was actually hoping he’d get eaten by a demon so he’d get taken down a notch or two. With an unappealing lead character, the book just fizzled out for me. Such a shame because...
The world was touched upon, but the island where Gabriel undertook his mission was incredibly fun and explored in vivid, nice detail. There were monsters, a forgotten race, fights, and tense moments. It made me frustrated that I was stuck on this incredible island with an egotistical knight.
There were some flashbacks that I found distracting, but I believe that’s because I didn’t care much for Gabriel. One of them should have evoked some sympathy from me, but it was too late for me to change my mind.
The writing was clean and some of the descriptions quite lovely, such as the one I quoted above. It read fast and smooth, for me. Suwak has a gifted way with words, and—based on reviews—many have loved this story. If I were to have a character I remotely enjoyed, I would have loved it as well.
So overall, if you’re not a crazy character driven reader such as myself, you might find this book very appealing. It’s short and cheap, so it’d be a great way to pass an hour or two.
You can see this and other reviews on my website: http://booksbylkevans.com
“From a distance, the writhing mass resembled some primordial, bubbling tar pit from which all the nightmares of the world fought for shape and the right to be born.”
This had sooooo much potential to capture me wholly. It’s basically about a knight who sets out on a quest to vanquish an evil demon. So what failed? Well, for me, it was the main character. I get how characters are supposed to be flawed, how they’re not supposed to be perfect, but I found Gabriel off-putting. And it was very early on that I formed this opinion. His self-righteousness is definitely dealt as one of those character flaws, but little else offset it so nothing balanced his character enough for me to root for him. The more I read, the less and less I liked him. I was actually hoping he’d get eaten by a demon so he’d get taken down a notch or two. With an unappealing lead character, the book just fizzled out for me. Such a shame because...
The world was touched upon, but the island where Gabriel undertook his mission was incredibly fun and explored in vivid, nice detail. There were monsters, a forgotten race, fights, and tense moments. It made me frustrated that I was stuck on this incredible island with an egotistical knight.
There were some flashbacks that I found distracting, but I believe that’s because I didn’t care much for Gabriel. One of them should have evoked some sympathy from me, but it was too late for me to change my mind.
The writing was clean and some of the descriptions quite lovely, such as the one I quoted above. It read fast and smooth, for me. Suwak has a gifted way with words, and—based on reviews—many have loved this story. If I were to have a character I remotely enjoyed, I would have loved it as well.
So overall, if you’re not a crazy character driven reader such as myself, you might find this book very appealing. It’s short and cheap, so it’d be a great way to pass an hour or two.
You can see this and other reviews on my website: http://booksbylkevans.com
August 26, 2013
How many of us as children dreamed of being something greater than our circumstances? How many dreamed, though insignificant and often unloved, of making a difference in this big world; leaving a mark that will inspire many generations to come? I’d like to say many of us have had that dream, but that’s just not true. There are only a few. Because to dream like that is to be willing to dedicate a life in fulfilling that mandate, and to be quite honest, not many people have the dedication and fortitude to see such visions to the end. But in Beyond the Tempest Gate by Jeff Suwak, that’s exactly what Gabriel Aterias accomplishes.
Born to a poor and neglectful pig farmer, Gabriel has no prospects of a glorious future, not even a comfortable one, but that doesn’t stop him from believing the story of a prophesied Holy Knight from the Church of Dunrabian who will rise up and defeat the evil demon, Elezear. Gabriel does more than believe, he pursues this calling with pure dedication and doesn’t allow anything to stop him, not even a protective elemental barrier guarding the demon and the island it habitats, called the Tempest Gate.
This story touched my heart, pulled on the hope I once had as child, but then caused me to peer into a mirror and question whether the quests I’ve ventured have been my true calling or had I deceived myself into believing a lie. Not many stories touch my soul. Not many writers would I call a true word weaver. Beyond the Tempest Gate and author Jeff Suwak encompasses them both. The language and illustrations in this must read are beautiful and poetic.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
Born to a poor and neglectful pig farmer, Gabriel has no prospects of a glorious future, not even a comfortable one, but that doesn’t stop him from believing the story of a prophesied Holy Knight from the Church of Dunrabian who will rise up and defeat the evil demon, Elezear. Gabriel does more than believe, he pursues this calling with pure dedication and doesn’t allow anything to stop him, not even a protective elemental barrier guarding the demon and the island it habitats, called the Tempest Gate.
This story touched my heart, pulled on the hope I once had as child, but then caused me to peer into a mirror and question whether the quests I’ve ventured have been my true calling or had I deceived myself into believing a lie. Not many stories touch my soul. Not many writers would I call a true word weaver. Beyond the Tempest Gate and author Jeff Suwak encompasses them both. The language and illustrations in this must read are beautiful and poetic.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
August 26, 2013
How many of us as children dreamed of being something greater than our circumstances? How many dreamed, though insignificant and often unloved, of making a difference in this big world; leaving a mark that will inspire many generations to come? I’d like to say many of us have had that dream, but that’s just not true. There are only a few. Because to dream like that is to be willing to dedicate a life in fulfilling that mandate, and to be quite honest, not many people have the dedication and fortitude to see such visions to the end. But in Beyond the Tempest Gate by Jeff Suwak, that’s exactly what Gabriel Aterias accomplishes.
Born to a poor and neglectful pig farmer, Gabriel has no prospects of a glorious future, not even a comfortable one, but that doesn’t stop him from believing the story of a prophesied Holy Knight from the Church of Dunrabian who will rise up and defeat the evil demon, Elezear. Gabriel does more than believe, he pursues this calling with pure dedication and doesn’t allow anything to stop him, not even a protective elemental barrier guarding the demon and the island it habitats, called the Tempest Gate.
This story touched my heart, pulled on the hope I once had as child, but then caused me to peer into a mirror and question whether the quests I’ve ventured have been my true calling or had I deceived myself into believing a lie. Not many stories touch my soul. Not many writers would I call a true word weaver. Beyond the Tempest Gate and author Jeff Suwak encompasses them both. The language and illustrations in this must read are beautiful and poetic.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
Born to a poor and neglectful pig farmer, Gabriel has no prospects of a glorious future, not even a comfortable one, but that doesn’t stop him from believing the story of a prophesied Holy Knight from the Church of Dunrabian who will rise up and defeat the evil demon, Elezear. Gabriel does more than believe, he pursues this calling with pure dedication and doesn’t allow anything to stop him, not even a protective elemental barrier guarding the demon and the island it habitats, called the Tempest Gate.
This story touched my heart, pulled on the hope I once had as child, but then caused me to peer into a mirror and question whether the quests I’ve ventured have been my true calling or had I deceived myself into believing a lie. Not many stories touch my soul. Not many writers would I call a true word weaver. Beyond the Tempest Gate and author Jeff Suwak encompasses them both. The language and illustrations in this must read are beautiful and poetic.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
January 11, 2014
It took me a lot longer than I'd have liked to read 'Beyond the Tempest Gate' - it's looked up at me from my desk for too long. I finally got to read it on a train this weekend, and it really delivered the promise of it's parable-like feel.
Suwak does a fantastic job with a largely unsympathetic character. Gabriel is painted very convincingly, so much so that I found myself urging him toward quite a dark fate. Of course, too much more would be a spoiler, so I won't say any more than this: I'm not sure if Gabriel deserved more than he got or got more than he deserved.
A fantastic structure to the story and both gripping world (revealed in hints) and history really balance the theme - which has been given an almost severe treatment. In fact, if it weren't such a pertinent handling of the perils of hubris, it might have pulled me from the story.
But again, the deft work with setting, character and voicing, it all comes together in a fantastic novella - looking forward to Suwak's next release!
Suwak does a fantastic job with a largely unsympathetic character. Gabriel is painted very convincingly, so much so that I found myself urging him toward quite a dark fate. Of course, too much more would be a spoiler, so I won't say any more than this: I'm not sure if Gabriel deserved more than he got or got more than he deserved.
A fantastic structure to the story and both gripping world (revealed in hints) and history really balance the theme - which has been given an almost severe treatment. In fact, if it weren't such a pertinent handling of the perils of hubris, it might have pulled me from the story.
But again, the deft work with setting, character and voicing, it all comes together in a fantastic novella - looking forward to Suwak's next release!
September 17, 2013
This novella, telling the tale of The Holy Knight Gabriel and his quest to go beyond the elemental Tempest Gate to dispose of the demon Elezear really is a pleasant surprise.
The tale kicks off with Gabriel approaching the Gate by boat. The Gate was put in place by wizards after an earlier event (sorry if I seem vague here but I don't want to give spoilers). He is on a quest to rid the world of the demon Elezear, a quest that only he, as The Holy Knight, can complete.
The chapters flow well - current storyline / backstory / current storyline etc and there really is so much here that I really found it hard to believe it was only a novella (76 pages but worth every penny/cent/euro).
Some of the scenes later on in the story reminded me, in a way, of the films of the late Ray Harryhausen - and I do believe this story would benefit from being filmed by a quality effects studio.
So, all in all, a wonderfully told tale that will leave you wanting more from Mr.Suwak - I know I will be eagerly waiting for more from this promising young author
The tale kicks off with Gabriel approaching the Gate by boat. The Gate was put in place by wizards after an earlier event (sorry if I seem vague here but I don't want to give spoilers). He is on a quest to rid the world of the demon Elezear, a quest that only he, as The Holy Knight, can complete.
The chapters flow well - current storyline / backstory / current storyline etc and there really is so much here that I really found it hard to believe it was only a novella (76 pages but worth every penny/cent/euro).
Some of the scenes later on in the story reminded me, in a way, of the films of the late Ray Harryhausen - and I do believe this story would benefit from being filmed by a quality effects studio.
So, all in all, a wonderfully told tale that will leave you wanting more from Mr.Suwak - I know I will be eagerly waiting for more from this promising young author
September 24, 2013
This book was a short story, but wonderful. From the beginning, it was very suspenseful, not knowing what direction it would take. Being written very descriptively allowed me to visualize myself within the story...awesome! I loved the setting and mood...in a period of Knights, dragons and dark creations. And I was floored when an unexpected twist takes the story in a different direction. It was kind of sad and it ended very dark...left me feeling a bit scared. I would love to see a prequel to this! Great read Jeff!
January 20, 2014
Disclaimer: the author and I have interacted as members of a writing website.
While well-written, I didn't like the main character at all, for precisely the reasons the old monk said: "arrogant humility and megalomanical selflessness." At first, the story appeared to contain a Gary Stu-type character, and it wasn't until the end that it became apparent that the author was aware of this too. However, as the story progressed, Gabriel's character became very realistic, and I do kind of have to respect him for sticking to his convictions.
I look forward to reading a sequel.
While well-written, I didn't like the main character at all, for precisely the reasons the old monk said: "arrogant humility and megalomanical selflessness." At first, the story appeared to contain a Gary Stu-type character, and it wasn't until the end that it became apparent that the author was aware of this too. However, as the story progressed, Gabriel's character became very realistic, and I do kind of have to respect him for sticking to his convictions.
I look forward to reading a sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2016
4.5 Stars
A highly enjoyable fantasy read with close character viewpoints, in other words, you get right in their heads. I enjoyed the structure, and while many will claim a dislike of flashback scenes, in this books it works extremely well. The end had me rereading it and I'm still thinking about it.
A highly enjoyable fantasy read with close character viewpoints, in other words, you get right in their heads. I enjoyed the structure, and while many will claim a dislike of flashback scenes, in this books it works extremely well. The end had me rereading it and I'm still thinking about it.
July 13, 2014
I won this book in a giveaway, this book turned out to be pretty interesting. I finished it in one sitting, I just wished it was a little bit longer.
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