First published 2022
Briar works as a minor scribe for the Church of Ubel and wants nothing more than to paint seascapes and stay alive. His quiet life ends when church leaders discover their god has lost his mind. They assemble a delegation to consult the Oracle of Hiephi about curing their psychopathic deity. Briar must join this mission to record events for the church archives, though he fights the assignment. Strange visions of an angry teenager torment him during their travels. He faces pirates, a murderous gnome talent agent, and the Slobbering Hound of Chaos. Each encounter reveals more about why the church really needs him on this suicide mission. Briar discovers his role goes far beyond taking notes. He must choose between his comfortable life and accepting a destiny he never wanted.
Genres: fiction, adventure, mystery, fantasy
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Church of Ubel, Hiephi
248 pages · Paperback · Falstaff Books, LLC