Celebrate Lit Tour: Shadows At Nightfall Review and a Giveaway!

shadows at nightfall

About the Book

Book: Shadows at Nightfall

Author: Brett Armstrong

Genre: Christian, Epic Fantasy

Release date: September 14, 2021

Shadows at Nightfall - FINAL Front

The shadows of Jason’s past have caught him. Having stepped into the Quest of Fire, Jason is pursued by a league of assassins formed of pure darkness. To his horror he discovers these creatures also were contracted to eliminate Anargen and his friends as they sought to understand the Tower of Light’s oracle. To unravel the mystery of who wants him dead and how he fits into the ages old quest, Jason must travel the lengths of the Lowlands. In the Ziljafu deserts a secret awaits him that will shake him to his core. He’ll have to move fast and cling fiercely to hope, as Anargen’s story twists down a bleak path to almost certain failure.

The creatures of darkness in the Lowlands have long waited for men to spurn the High King’s laws. With few concerned for the light and everything falling apart around them, Jason and Anargen will face the shadows of night’s falling as their world hangs in the balance.

Click here to get your copy!

Review:

            I’m not going to lie: I was in a reading slump when I started this book so it took me a few chapters to get into it. This book completely pulled me out of that slump and had me reading as quick as I could because I wanted so desperately to know what would happen to the characters that I had grown so attached to. The storyline was amazing and I loved to see how the characters grew over the course of the story; there were some characters that I wanted to shake because I was so annoyed with them. As the story progressed, however, they grew and changed in ways that demonstrated how God’s grace (or in the context of the story the High King’s grace) could work in people. The faith element of this story was so inspiring and brought tears to my eyes. It was amazing to see how the author incorporated the forgiveness God gives us and that we cannot repent of our sins without Him first convicting us and also seeing us through the process. I loved this story so much and I just could not put it down. As the second novel and third installment of the series, I had already formed an attachment to the main characters but this book grew that attachment, particularly to the present day characters. In this book, we got to see much of their story and struggles, which really helped to push the story forward and show the connection to the past. I loved how the author was able to show the struggles each character felt in a way that made me feel them, too. The unsurety Jason felt was written so well that I felt it, too, as I read. Each timeline’s story just pulled me further into the world the author created and had me wanting to know how they were going to get out of their plights. The story was amazing and I can’t say enough good things about it! Each time I read a book from this series, I am always touched by the faith element; it is so well written and feels so natural to the story that it makes me think of my own faith and how it could be stronger. This would be an excellent series to help younger readers understand God’s sovereignty and His care for us. It wonderfully show how, even though we may fall, God will steer us back to the right course and He can use our sinful actions to show His goodness and glory. I can’t express how wonderful this story is and would highly recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy.

WARNING FOR PARENTS: As I stated above, I think this is a wonderful series but I know some parents are apprehensive with some content. This book does have dark creatures and elements of magic. These can be points of concern for some parents so I did want to be sure I mentioned it. There is talk of witches, potions, and spells but it is all described in no uncertain terms as evil and to be in opposition to the High King’s (God’s) commands. It is not described in detail, in my opinion, so I do not want to discourage parents because it is shown to be sinful and evil. There is some violence but is not graphic at all. One last point I feel I should mention but is not to discourage from reading the book is that some characters’ eyes linger on some of the female characters’ figures, describing them as curvaceous or voluptuous. It was not enough to make me feel uncomfortable or anything; I just know some parents are discerning over these elements. Again, I do not want to discourage parents from allowing their older kids/teens from reading this book and series because it is wonderful and amazing with its faith element. It would make a great talking point about what the Bible says about magic, as it is shown to be evil.

Thank you for reading my review! I hope you will give this series a try because it really is one of the most well-written with a massively strong faith element that is so inspiring. It is certainly a favorite of mine! Thank you, Brett Armstrong, for this wonderful read; I can’t wait to read more of this series!

This book was provided through Celebrate Lit and author for me to read. The opinions expressed are my own thoughts.

About the Author

Author-picture-close

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

The Lowlands are on the edge of dramatic changes. In every era, warriors for the High King must rise to keep the light burning and hold back the beasts of the darkness that most believe only myth. But those creatures of lore have long waited for the hour of shadows to arrive and with it all the horrors they have schemed.

The protagonists of Quest of Fire saga—Anargen and Jason, don’t realize how great a change is upon them. Anargen’s experience in defending Ordumair from the Grey Scourge and his army of werebeasts have opened his eyes to realities of the Lowlands, but neither he nor his friends nor even their mentor Sir Cinaed understand the Oracle they found within the vaults of Ordumair. It foretold a looming struggle against the forces of darkness that gave rise to the Grey Scourge. The question of how to stop it as the shadows lengthen all around divides the group.

Jason has been running from the darkness in his past so long he only looks to his next step, never what’s coming ahead. He certainly didn’t see stopping at the Black River Inn to hear old Cinaed the Storyteller tell tales of a long past knight named Anargen as life-changing. Until he witnessed the old storyteller do battle with a creature straight out of his stories. Now he feels himself being drawn into the Quest of Fire as Anargen was, but his new found purpose is far from the safety and ease he’s been hoping for.

One of the most exciting aspects of writing Shadows at Nightfall was showing through sweeping epic fantasy the way Anargen does not forsake his allegiance to the High King. The Quest of Fire saga is in part a story about storytelling and that is reflected in the way Jason is shaped by the tale of Anargen’s failures and faithfulness. Much like the Apostle Paul’s exhortation that “…these things were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11) Though not the only spiritual theme woven into the stories, Shadows at Nightfall invites readers to journey with these characters to the brink, risking their lives, growing from the examples passed down to them, and find there the greatest gain.

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” —2 Timothy 2:1-4

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, March 17 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 17

Texas Book-aholic, March 18

Inklings and notions, March 19

For Him and My Family, March 20

deb’s Book Review, March 21

Simple Harvest Reads, March 22 (Author Interview)

By the Book, March 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 23

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 26

Artistic Nobody, March 27 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, March 28

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 29

Guild Master, March 30

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, copy of Shadows at Nightfall, 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1bc97/shadows-at-nightfall-celebration-tour-giveaway

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