Fantasy
Fate of the Fallen
Early Release
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Quick take
Ever make a plan that goes wrong at the first possible second? This is that, but on a much bigger scale.
Good to know
First in series
Snarky
Underdog
Quest
Synopsis
Not all stories have happy endings.
Everyone loves Mathias. Naturally, when he discovers it’s his destiny to save the world, he dives in head first, pulling his best friend Aaslo along for the ride.
However, saving the world isn’t as easy, or exciting, as it sounds in the stories. The going gets rough and folks start to believe their best chance for survival is to surrender to the forces of evil, which isn’t how the prophecy goes. At all. As the list of allies grows thin, and the friends find themselves staring death in the face they must decide how to become the heroes they were destined to be or, failing that, how to survive.
Free sample
Get an early look from the first pages of Fate of the Fallen.
Fate of the Fallen
Prologue
“You have all heard of the time when the dead didn’t tread upon the land?”
The sea of youthful faces shone with the golden light of the hearth. The children nodded, expressions flooded with concern or fear. Even so, they were spellbound, as they were every night at this time, when they huddled on the floor surrounded by adults who gathered in chairs or leaned against the walls.
I turned to gaze out the window. The children’s curiosity prompted them to follow my lead. By the silvery light of the moon, we could see the wanderers ambling in the dark. Their cloudy gazes appeared distant as they searched. Their pale flesh was frigid blue in the moonlight, cold as the late autumn night. The front door rattled, and everyone jumped. It failed to open, and the wanderer moved on, passing by the window without a glance.
Beside me, young Corin gripped his older brother’s hand. “I don’t like to think about it,” he said.
I mussed the boy’s hair and replied, “We cannot ignore the truth just because we don’t like it. It’s important to understand how the world became the way it is so that we can learn and grow. Survival is never guaranteed. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.”
Corin glanced up at his brother, then back to me with a nod.
I leaned back in my chair and recalled the words of my mother, the same words spoken by her father and his before him. “The living once walked this world alone. They worked the land, growing sustenance for themselves and their children. They built homes and palaces. They sailed the seas, explored distant lands, and shared their dreams in artwork and mesmerizing enactments. Wizards and witches, mages and sorcerers, and all sorts of other magi performed feats great and small with their wondrous magic. For seculars like ourselves, life was made easier.
Why I love it
Liberty Hardy
BOTM Judge
Saddle up and grab your swords because excitement and danger lurk around every corner in this wildly inventive new saga about good, evil, and (not) saving the day!
Mathias longs for excitement in his life, but his strict grandmother keeps him from doing anything fun, unlike his BFF Aaslo who is an orphan but perfectly happy leading a quiet life. When the fates reveal that Mathias is the Chosen One destined to save their world, Aaslo goes along to help, despite his dislike of magic, creatures, and anything outside their familiar plot of forest. TL;DR: They’re going on an adventure! (*Insert Hobbit adventure gif here*) But what will Aaslo do when the Chosen One fails?
WOW! Failing to save the day has never been so much fun! I am a huge fan of Chosen One narratives (Hello, Buffy Summers!) but Kade turns the mythos upside-down. What we get instead is a compelling tale of questing, full of twists and surprises. On top of the magic, humor, and swordfights (sometimes all at once), I really loved the friendships portrayed in this book, and the idea that sometimes it’s the sidekicks—and not the heroes—destined to save the day. So kick back and enjoy!
Member ratings (3,347)
Allison B.
Leander, TX
The character building was so strong in this book from the first page that you couldn’t help but fall a little in love. It’s a good take on the classic fantasy that you’ll feel at home while not bored
Renee H.
Chicago, IL
I loved following Aaslo’s quest to save the world after he takes up his fallen friend’s fated, heroic destiny. A blend of lore, legend, and fantasy, Aaslo’s story is a wild treat. Need the sequel now!
Celia K.
WHITESTONE, NY
Hilarious! Subverted a lot of common fantasy tropes, and did it well. Sure, the writing isn’t anything like Tolkein, but it didn’t need to be to tell its story effectively. Can’t wait for the sequel!
Aeriel B.
Fort Collins, CO
Amazing! It’s Lord of the Rings of the Nazgul had killed Frodo in their first encounter and Sam had to take over. It’s great because it simultaneously satirizes the genre and is an amazing example :-)
Paula H.
Hinesburg, VT
One of the more interesting plots I’ve read in awhile. I love the gruffness of the main character & the tongue-in-cheek humor. Great twist on the hero journey-I’ll be looking foward to the next book!