Ascendance

Medallion 4
Friendships Fracture. A Trusted Guide Dies. New Powers Emerge.
Ascendance

About
The Book

The Battle for Supremacy Takes a Dark Turn Just When A Trusted Guide Dies.

From the multiple award-winning teen author Brandon King comes the first volume of his YA series inspired by the classic works of Tolkien, and the spirit of Riordan, Sanderson, Locke, Carr and Myers. Perfect for teens and young adult readers who yearn for contemporary epic fantasy adventures that remind them of Narnia and Middle Earth.

Will the Long-Hidden Gargoyle Kingdoms Join in the Battle to Save Humans? And…Which Side Will They Join?

 

Danielle adores her adopted little brother, Max. But she and her parents aren’t sure how much to tell him about their gargoyle friends, let alone the risk they all face. Max is an old soul in a young body because of his perilous years in foster homes. None of them realize how important that will be to his future when he is stolen away…over the dead body of a dearly beloved gargoyle friend.

So begins their frantic and terrifying rescue plan. But even in the midst of their hunt for Max, a new fear grows: is Danielle really the “Chosen One”…or is there another, with powers she can’t even imagine having?

Worse, can it be true that there is a group of humans allied with the armies of Kahrnahrgx, the rebel gargoyle committed to the destruction of humanity?

Ascendance introduces new classes of gargoyles (ice, fire and metals) and drags the reader deep into enemy territory in a rescue attempt so daring that even the Ancient Ones are uncertain it could succeed.

Ascendance is the 4th volume in The Gargoyle Chronicles series. It blends together Norse, YA, and NA genres.

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AGE RANGE:

Middle-Grade, YA and NA

COMING:

Coming Nov 2022

If I would have had more than 15 minutes to read each night, I would have read it all in one sitting. So many interesting characters. Great idea for an appendix! Be sure to look at the appendix for the Gargoyle names as you are reading – that would have been helpful for me to keep the names straight. Plot was really good.
~Zimley

What’s Inside

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Gargoyle Kings

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Ice Kingdom

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Conflicted loyalties

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Human cults

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Betrayals

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An adopted brother

Chapter 1:

Brooding Silence

~an excerpt

Nahzruhd didn’t hear the clicking of his talons on the ice. After countless cycles of the seasons, he was so accustomed to the sound his mind became almost incapable of registering it. But those he went to meet with could certainly hear the rumor of his arrival.

The corridor Nahzruhd briskly strode along was wide and tall. Just as he did during his only visit to the frozen kingdom generations earlier, he marveled at the innate beauty of the place. No source of light was needed to create the brilliance he walked in. A pervasive blueish tint bathed everything along his path. Of course, the path itself was straightforward enough, as it traveled nearly straight for hundreds of meters from the submerged entrance far into the subterranean cavern.

He’d walked past at least 24 heavily armed sentinels, clad in pale bronze armor, and clear, round shields slung over their backs, a dozen flanking either side of the majestic opening into the frigid kingdom. Yet Nahzruhd knew there were probably double, perhaps even triple that number that actually guarded the primary entrance into the palace of the Ice King. One didn’t visit the inner sanctum of Glazicor without pressing need. The leader of the gargoyles of the southern pole did not like to entertain.

Nahzruhd sighed heavily. Only when a cloud of crystals erupted in front of his face did he realize how preoccupied he was.

A little snort launched another cloud of crystals into the path before him. “This will never do!” he muttered, wishing he was more amused at his absentmindedness.

Drawing a deep breath as he walked, he held it for a half dozen paces before releasing it slowly. He focused on calming his mind while exhaling slowly enough he didn’t launch a third vaporous cloud. “I must be centered and composed before Glazicor. The last thing we need is to have him read into my vibrations anything more than necessary. This summit will be touchy enough as it is.”

Nahzruhd continued down the glacial corridor apace. His long robe rustled behind him as if it were enlivened by the movement of its master. The blue light of the ice radiated uniformly as far as the eye could see before and behind Nahzruhd, glinting off his robe as if it were also made of solid water. Yet, the robe was imperceptibly stronger than the ice casting a blue hue upon it, for it too was derived of earthen metals. As was the master who wore the robe.

Though he had seen no guards or sentries since striding through the grand narthex of the southern kingdom’s capital city, Nahzruhd never doubted he was being watched. He would catch faint movement to the sides of the corridor. Ephemeral indications of ice gargoyles embedded in the very walls of the ice kingdom they called home.

“Probably their eyes!” he grunted under his breath. “A bit unnerving, under the best of circumstances. At least last time I came here, the news to convey was slightly better.”

Nahzruhd rounded a slight turn in the tunnel. “Ah! The festivities are about to begin. If my memory isn’t deceiving me, the Great Hall opens up just beyond that archway. Who might Glazicor have with him this time?”

Chapters

Idaho Author Awards

Pages

North American Book Awards

A Great Read!

What a fun and exciting fantasy read. I loved the characters. This book had me thinking! I can’t wait to see where the author takes us in the next book! I am a fan!

~JBT

FANTASTIC BOOK!

I have always enjoyed reading Y.A. novels but this is one I would recommend to anyone and everyone who loves adventure and fantasy. This book is full of action and twists. It was an engaging and fast paced wonder.

I loved the way that Brandon melds a terrific story line with full, round characters and life lessons. This book covered everything from friendship to love and the true meanings of the words.

~Carson Wrublik

A Piece of Home

I was reminded of some of my favorite fiction stories as a kid. A young girl, through very ordinary means, stumbles across a world and a mystery of cosmic proportions. A quest begins, and it’s a battle between good and evil that spans both distance and time.

If you like John White (The Tower of Geburah series), Madeleine L’Engle (A Wrinkle in Time), or C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia), you’ll find yourself right at home in this series.

This book includes great characters, some good themes, and an epic climax. I’m looking forward to reading more.

~Clifford G. Wheeler

Exciting New Read for Teens!

This story weaves fantasy, history, and life lessons into an enjoyable narrative. As a reader, it was quite exciting to peer into the realm of gargoyles and imagine their purpose and lives. Brandon King takes a fresh look at these fantastical characters and presents us with an original perspective that causes us to reflect on our own perceptions of those who are different and what true friendship really is.

~Lori Knutson

Great Young Adult Read

Imagine being swept away from your ordinary life to a world where mythical creatures guard against evil and time and space are transcended. That’s what awaits the reader of this novel. An intriguing plot provides plenty of twists and turns as well as many edge-of-your-seat moments. This adventure, with its focus on family, hope, and courage, appeals to young and old alike. If you enjoyed The Chronicles of Narnia, you’ll love The Quest for the Temple Key.

~Flyboy

Good Read

Every chapter ended with me salivating and wanting to know more. Read it in less then a week!!!! The next one comes out soon too.

~Jonathan Tallman

Diabolically Simple Yet Intricate Tale

The second book in this series finds Brandon King hitting his stride, and boy, is it a long stride. The interweaving tale that is continued from the first book ratchets up the suspense and intrigue to an intense level. It makes this tale a page turner that I couldn’t put down. And trying to guess who did what and how was as nerve-wracking as if I’d seen a real gargoyle. Many times, I called out, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Then returned greedily to read what happened next.

While the ending was satisfying, it left me growling like Kimar for the third in this series.
With a final, “You have GOT to be kidding me!” as I read the last sentence, I closed this wonderful book.

~Renee Settle

Great Fantasy Story

In this story there are many intoxicating characters that I could relate too and grew fond of. In the world of good and bad, gargoyles and humans vs gargoyles, it is kept interesting with many cliff hangers. Brandon King has created a solid plot line that follows through in every chapter and that made it easy to follow along. With elaborate twist and turns that I didn’t see coming kept me on the edge of my seat. Along with everything else, the descriptions teleported me into the story along with the characters. This is a great book to read at any age.

~Savanna C. (7th grade fantasy lover)

Brandon King Has Done It Again!

Another brilliant book from Brandon King! 🙂 I loved this book as much as the first. It’s super creative and full of adventure. The characters are very relatable and the plot leaves you begging for more. I will recommend this book every day, even to my 25 and older friends 😉

~Carson Wrublik

A Gargoyle Good Read!

My 12 year old son recently read this book and here’s what he had to say about it…”I liked the concept of the gargoyle characters, even though I do not normally read fantasy books. I liked that some of the gargoyles were protectors. The book was very good!” (The book kept my sons interest and he was so excited to read it. He read it at home on the sofa instead of watching TV, he read it in the car instead of other books he could have chosen to read and he read it before going to bed each night. A captivating book.)

~911Flower

Transports the Reader

Brandon King’s latest teen novel rushes his characters into a new arena where they continue to grow up in front of the reader’s eyes. With each turn of the page, readers are left questioning who to trust and worried about just what twists and turns the story will take next. For teen readers and gargoyle fans alike this is a fast-paced, fun read that transports the reader to both another time and a world where a whole new realm of possibilities exists.

~Lori Knutson

Attention Narnia and Hogwarts Fans!

A thrilling and exciting read, expertly told by Brandon King. Readers of all ages will enjoy the continuing adventures of Danielle and her friends & family, as they struggle to unravel the mystery of a new gargoyle threat. Will keep you reading late into the night, and have you craving more stories with these characters. Quality entertainment.

~Peter G

If You Like Fantasy...

Interesting characters, lots of twists and turns. Uncertainty about what comes next keeps you reading! If you like fantasy, Brandon King doesn’t disappoint!

~Gretchen McNamara

About
the Author

Brandon with Prohximus
Brandon King lives in Southwest Idaho, near to the kinds of mountains his gargoyles like to call home. He shares his home with his wife (who is also an author) and two aging cats. He’s enjoyed several careers throughout his life, but his great love is writing.
Want to learn more about Brandon? Then ⤵
Brandon King

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