The Range: Book 1: Cry of the Desert

by Owen Nelson Parker

In a dystopian desert landscape, Camp Gamma clings to the edge of a cliff, constantly besieged by mysterious hordes of shadows from the northern desert. The only protection for the camp is The Range, a magical energy fence upheld by its defenders wielding crossbows and pikes. Cyrus, the newly appointed vice-commander, struggles to maintain the loyalty of his captains amid factional infighting between religious zealots and non-zealot defenders, as well as doubts about the competence of Tomias, the new commander. Meanwhile, Nora, a preceptor in the Core, strives to fulfill her duties and raise her adopted daughter, defying gender norms along the way.

As ammunition and supplies dwindle, and with the true commander away on a desperate mission to secure aid from neighboring settlements, the stakes have never been higher. If Camp Gamma doesn’t receive reinforcements soon, The Range will be overrun, leaving the settlement vulnerable to the relentless shadow assault.

Set against a backdrop of military desperation, “The Cry of the Desert” is a gripping fantasy fiction tale that explores the challenges of loyalty, survival, and the fierce struggle between religious fanaticism and secular pragmatism. In this high-stakes battle, can Cyrus and Nora overcome internal strife and external threats to save their people, or will the shadows finally conquer Camp Gamma and extinguish the last flicker of hope? Dive into this suspenseful, character-driven story to find out.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2023

Reviews

[Tanhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastical story

This is not like any other fantasy I've ever read. There are two groups, and a general population, both warring to stay safe from the shadows. These ghastly creatures come from the desert, and unknown source, to eviscerate flesh and steal men's minds. Aside from that, there is a plot to either give into the darkness or overthrow it all together. The goals of each side are not made clear in this book, hopefully the next installment will bring enlightenment. I enjoyed the world building and the departure from the norm. Keep it up!

[Kristin Marzullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of beta-reading this book, and it did not disappoint. I'm not well-versed in the fantasy/dystopian genre, but I found myself plowing through this story. The author's ability to create tension, write captivating dialogue, and build a world that feels real is impressive. Nora is absolutely my favorite character. Her strength, compassion, and curiosity make her easy to love and relate to. The cliffhanger at the end was brilliantly done, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

[John Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does a great job of both world-building and building tension. Very curious to see where this goes next.
While adept at world-building, it doesn't get bogged down in explication.

[Terrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jumps between different story lines which I like and the way the audio book adds environmental sounds makes it all the more immersive