What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fall Gauntlet #4
The Fall Gauntlet: CONDOR
Benji may have defeated the last Fall Gauntlet threat, but a new, more sinister champion rises ...
After defeating the malevolent chrysix totem, Benji and Soren finally have a chance to recover, but the hunt for the brothers who broke the Fall Gauntlet rages on. In the desert oasis town of Oajin, both the Crown and a murderous condor totem appear, forcing Benji, Soren, and their new companion, Lyaza, to flee.
When Benji learns his friend Daniil is still alive and holds vital information about the night Benji defeated the chrysix, Soren and Lyaza warn him to stay away. Ignoring their caution, Benji secretly meets Daniil, who gives him a dire if you put on your mask, you risk the condor finding you.
As Benji uncovers more about Daniil’s past and the Fall Gauntlet, his beliefs about the totem masks, the Crown, and the Dei are turned upside-down again. The Crown, an enemy responsible for his family's downfall, is far more complex than he knows.
Benji must face this new enemy head-on, but as the lines between friend, foe, and lover blur, he risks being ensnared in a web of lies that will send him down a one-way track to an endless black hole of pain, one more excruciating than death itself.
The Fall Gauntlet continues …
J. A. Merkel’s CONDOR is part of The Fall Gauntlet, a dystopian sci-fi novella collection about Benji and Soren’s quest to outsmart the Crown and reclaim their family, all while learning how to be brothers again.
After defeating the malevolent chrysix totem, Benji and Soren finally have a chance to recover, but the hunt for the brothers who broke the Fall Gauntlet rages on. In the desert oasis town of Oajin, both the Crown and a murderous condor totem appear, forcing Benji, Soren, and their new companion, Lyaza, to flee.
When Benji learns his friend Daniil is still alive and holds vital information about the night Benji defeated the chrysix, Soren and Lyaza warn him to stay away. Ignoring their caution, Benji secretly meets Daniil, who gives him a dire if you put on your mask, you risk the condor finding you.
As Benji uncovers more about Daniil’s past and the Fall Gauntlet, his beliefs about the totem masks, the Crown, and the Dei are turned upside-down again. The Crown, an enemy responsible for his family's downfall, is far more complex than he knows.
Benji must face this new enemy head-on, but as the lines between friend, foe, and lover blur, he risks being ensnared in a web of lies that will send him down a one-way track to an endless black hole of pain, one more excruciating than death itself.
The Fall Gauntlet continues …
J. A. Merkel’s CONDOR is part of The Fall Gauntlet, a dystopian sci-fi novella collection about Benji and Soren’s quest to outsmart the Crown and reclaim their family, all while learning how to be brothers again.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2024
About the author
J.A. Merkel
8 books89 followersJ. A. Merkel writes speculative and science fiction filled with multiverses and second chances, and his worlds are packed with anti-heroes, love as magic, and tragic reversals.
For Merkel, writing isn’t a chore. It’s a fantastical kingdom with thousands of doors where readers can stumble into their own special adventures, laughing, shouting, and journeying to find home, wherever that may be.
J. A. Merkel burst onto the writing scene with his breakout novella, The Fall Gauntlet: BEAR in summer of 2023, the first of nine stories in his Fall Gauntlet collection. Two months later, he released Book 2, RAT, and 3 months after that, he released Book 3 in the series, CHRYSIX.
In January of 2024, Merkel released The Fall Gauntlet Omnibus, Volume 1, which compiled Books 1, 2, and 3 into one collection. Exactly one year after BEAR's release, Book 4, CONDOR, was released.
Each of Merkel's first four novellas hit the "Top New Release" on Amazon's Science Fiction Short Stories bestseller chart. Part One of The Fall Gauntlet collection will comprise of nine stories and so will Part Two. Books 5 and 6, MANTA and SHARK, respectively, are slated for a 2025 release, as well as The Fall Gauntlet Omnibus, Volume 2, which compiles Books 4, 5, and 6.
In October of 2024, Merkel will release his eagerly anticipated debut fantasy novel, The Fourth Portal, a decade long-project inspired by his adventures and travels living abroad and teaching in South Korea, where he learned something about opening his own fourth portal (if you know, you know).
Many of Merkel's readers enjoy speculating on the easter eggs dropped throughout his series, suggesting theories and possible explanations about the interconnectivity of his universes. Many believe there is always something more complex beneath the surface, and that a larger multiverse looms in the background.
Early reviews for The Fourth Portal have praised the book for it's uniqueness and surprising twists and turns. Reviewers claim it's unlike any book they've ever read, naming it a book with unmatched complexity, with a refreshingly unique premise and story.
The Fourth Portal is the first book in an epic fantasy series called Song of Saudade. Filled with elemental chakra magic, desert adventure, and a multiple POV, ensemble cast, the book imagines a world in which all forms of love are forbidden and punishable by death (love is an actual contagious virus that can kill you).
The series follows a unlikely team of five misfits over the course of seven books, one book to represent each of the seven chakras. Book One, Earth (or Qha since they are technically not on Earth), will be followed by Book Two of the Song of Saudade series, The Other Tribe, slated for a late 2025 release. Fans are eagerly awaiting teasers from Book Two
so they can confirm their theories about how everything ended in Book One.
For those wanting to join the magic, you can sign up for J. A. Merkel’s newsletter on his website, jamerkel dot com, to get exclusive freebies, publishing updates, and a first peek at giveaways!
You can also find applications for ARC Team and Street Team signups in his linktree on his Instagram and TikTok at jamerkel_author.
Merkel prides himself on cultivating a tight-knit, supportive community for those who want to talk about the infinite possibilities of stories and the endlessly healing power of words.
For Merkel, writing isn’t a chore. It’s a fantastical kingdom with thousands of doors where readers can stumble into their own special adventures, laughing, shouting, and journeying to find home, wherever that may be.
J. A. Merkel burst onto the writing scene with his breakout novella, The Fall Gauntlet: BEAR in summer of 2023, the first of nine stories in his Fall Gauntlet collection. Two months later, he released Book 2, RAT, and 3 months after that, he released Book 3 in the series, CHRYSIX.
In January of 2024, Merkel released The Fall Gauntlet Omnibus, Volume 1, which compiled Books 1, 2, and 3 into one collection. Exactly one year after BEAR's release, Book 4, CONDOR, was released.
Each of Merkel's first four novellas hit the "Top New Release" on Amazon's Science Fiction Short Stories bestseller chart. Part One of The Fall Gauntlet collection will comprise of nine stories and so will Part Two. Books 5 and 6, MANTA and SHARK, respectively, are slated for a 2025 release, as well as The Fall Gauntlet Omnibus, Volume 2, which compiles Books 4, 5, and 6.
In October of 2024, Merkel will release his eagerly anticipated debut fantasy novel, The Fourth Portal, a decade long-project inspired by his adventures and travels living abroad and teaching in South Korea, where he learned something about opening his own fourth portal (if you know, you know).
Many of Merkel's readers enjoy speculating on the easter eggs dropped throughout his series, suggesting theories and possible explanations about the interconnectivity of his universes. Many believe there is always something more complex beneath the surface, and that a larger multiverse looms in the background.
Early reviews for The Fourth Portal have praised the book for it's uniqueness and surprising twists and turns. Reviewers claim it's unlike any book they've ever read, naming it a book with unmatched complexity, with a refreshingly unique premise and story.
The Fourth Portal is the first book in an epic fantasy series called Song of Saudade. Filled with elemental chakra magic, desert adventure, and a multiple POV, ensemble cast, the book imagines a world in which all forms of love are forbidden and punishable by death (love is an actual contagious virus that can kill you).
The series follows a unlikely team of five misfits over the course of seven books, one book to represent each of the seven chakras. Book One, Earth (or Qha since they are technically not on Earth), will be followed by Book Two of the Song of Saudade series, The Other Tribe, slated for a late 2025 release. Fans are eagerly awaiting teasers from Book Two
so they can confirm their theories about how everything ended in Book One.
For those wanting to join the magic, you can sign up for J. A. Merkel’s newsletter on his website, jamerkel dot com, to get exclusive freebies, publishing updates, and a first peek at giveaways!
You can also find applications for ARC Team and Street Team signups in his linktree on his Instagram and TikTok at jamerkel_author.
Merkel prides himself on cultivating a tight-knit, supportive community for those who want to talk about the infinite possibilities of stories and the endlessly healing power of words.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 11, 2025
Condor was the best book in the series so far!! Not only is the story really getting good, but the character development and fights have been great. The cave scene was really sweet, but the twist at the end left me in tears! The Fall Gauntlet just continues to get more and more interesting with every book!
July 25, 2024
CONDOR is the fourth book in The Fall Gauntlet series by J. A. Merkel.
CONDOR starts off with a blast and never lets up from beginning to end.
CONDOR is a very intense and suspenseful read that kept me glued to my seat hanging on every word as I raced to the end as I couldn’t take my eyes off the page.
CONDOR drew me into its world deeper and deeper the more I read. I lost all thought to the world around me as I dived in.
Benji, Soren, and Lyaza kept me chopping at the bit as I followed them on their journey for more information about the night Benji defeated the chrysix and tried to stay one step ahead of the Crown. Benji, Soren, and Lyaza find themselves still on the run from the Crown after defeating the malevolent chrysix totem.
Benji runs into an old friend, Daniil whom he thought was dead. Daniil warns Benji about putting on his mask again as it would let the Crown know his location.
But just as Benji, Soren, and Lyaza are boarding the train to leave they see Daniil who is in trouble. The three try to help Daniil even though it means they may be caught.
I highly recommend CONDOR to anyone who likes a good story especially post-apocalyptic ones. Grab a copy of CONDOR today and join Benji, Soren, and Lyaza as they search for answers as to what happened when Benji defeated the chrysix.
CONDOR starts off with a blast and never lets up from beginning to end.
CONDOR is a very intense and suspenseful read that kept me glued to my seat hanging on every word as I raced to the end as I couldn’t take my eyes off the page.
CONDOR drew me into its world deeper and deeper the more I read. I lost all thought to the world around me as I dived in.
Benji, Soren, and Lyaza kept me chopping at the bit as I followed them on their journey for more information about the night Benji defeated the chrysix and tried to stay one step ahead of the Crown. Benji, Soren, and Lyaza find themselves still on the run from the Crown after defeating the malevolent chrysix totem.
Benji runs into an old friend, Daniil whom he thought was dead. Daniil warns Benji about putting on his mask again as it would let the Crown know his location.
But just as Benji, Soren, and Lyaza are boarding the train to leave they see Daniil who is in trouble. The three try to help Daniil even though it means they may be caught.
I highly recommend CONDOR to anyone who likes a good story especially post-apocalyptic ones. Grab a copy of CONDOR today and join Benji, Soren, and Lyaza as they search for answers as to what happened when Benji defeated the chrysix.
August 14, 2024
I have been keenly tuned into Merkel's Fall Gauntlet series, and each novella is even more visually descriptive than the last. The story of the Condor takes flight from the beginning, drawing me deeply into the worlds the characters collectively travel through and where their individual storylines personally take them. Merkel's poetic writing style adds a rich layer to the narrative, making it a pleasure to read and encouraged me to search for clues about the mysterious identity of the Condor. I was particularly compelled by Lyaza's calm yet wise manner, which brought a sense of safety to the story. Each novella serves as a reminder of the immense struggles and the numerous hoops Benji and Soren must go through to maintain momentum in their revolt, highlighting the resilience and determination required to fight for their cause.
November 9, 2025
This series just keeps getting better and better with each installment! CONDOR is book 4 in The Fall Gauntlet series, and hands down my favorite up to this point. There is so much to unpack. High stakes tension and conflict. Butterflies and first kisses that blossom from new love. Truth bombs and shocking reveals. More lore about the Crown and the gods that control the world. Fighting sequences that had me on the edge of my seat. Even an unfortunate emotional punch to the gut in the final pages before running into the next cliffhanger ending. I’ve become so invested in this series, and will be jumping into the next book right away!
August 3, 2024
OMG!!! What soul crushing, fast action paced novella in this series. I was correct in accurately knowing who the Condor was going to be, but did I really have to be right!? This was such a fantastic storyline to continue the the series and like I said before I can't wait to know more and more about this amazing storyline. With all the information we got in this book, I'm curious to know more about the Dei now!!! The next book can't come out fast enough..I'm still in tears 😭😭😭😭and slightly speechless at the moment with this book but I need the next book in the series like ASAP!!
October 10, 2025
This book continues right where it left off, and no emotional intensity is missing as you start page 1. I loved so many things about CONDOR. The Sci-fi elements are top notch world building, but the human themes the characters experience will hit you right in the feels (iN THE BEST WAY). I love that you can read this all in one weekend, and you'll want to because it feels like a movie unfolding with the rich details & pace! The characters are so unique and it feels like you are right beside them on their adventure. Where can I preorder the next release?!
July 27, 2024
Condor had me on the edge of my seat - Merkel does it yet again. There was some epic battle scenes and a lot more emotion in this, plus you get more insight into the Crown. A nice bonus to this story was getting to know Soren better, too. You never know who you can trust and the characters are all so likable it makes it hard. I was absolutely shocked when Condor was revealed. An emotional rollercoaster, and I can't wait to see what and who they encounter next.
September 6, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Benji and Soren’s journey continues in the fourth book of the Fall Gauntlet, and I think this might be the most emotional installment yet for Benji. While his emotions have certainly been on display throughout the series, this felt like the first time that he realized loving someone isn’t enough to defeat the inevitable. While I personally don’t think that person is entirely gone, I think Benji needed to feel this way to move forward. I won’t say he’s been distracted, but I think there have been a lot of things occupying his mind, and that’s pulled him in too many directions, which is difficult for anyone.
I love that we get more about The Crown in this installment. While I’m still slightly skeptical about what to believe, and who to trust, knowing that there’s a more intricate system in place is what I’ve been waiting to know. How is it chosen, or is it like a lottery? Is it considered an honor or a curse? I don’t know if I’ll get to find these things out, but I’m curious to find out more. Though it might not pop up again since it isn’t something Benji inherently has access to, I like that we got a peak behind that curtain.
Benji and Soren’s journey continues in the fourth book of the Fall Gauntlet, and I think this might be the most emotional installment yet for Benji. While his emotions have certainly been on display throughout the series, this felt like the first time that he realized loving someone isn’t enough to defeat the inevitable. While I personally don’t think that person is entirely gone, I think Benji needed to feel this way to move forward. I won’t say he’s been distracted, but I think there have been a lot of things occupying his mind, and that’s pulled him in too many directions, which is difficult for anyone.
I love that we get more about The Crown in this installment. While I’m still slightly skeptical about what to believe, and who to trust, knowing that there’s a more intricate system in place is what I’ve been waiting to know. How is it chosen, or is it like a lottery? Is it considered an honor or a curse? I don’t know if I’ll get to find these things out, but I’m curious to find out more. Though it might not pop up again since it isn’t something Benji inherently has access to, I like that we got a peak behind that curtain.
January 8, 2026
I absolutely loved this!!!! I loved the story and its concept. It was definitely a strong continuation of the series! It's a great wee novella, and I think J is a beautiful author! I loved the cover! It's so visually pleasing. The colours are excellent and suited to the condor totem animal. The mask on the front is excellent. The novella is beautifully written and flows perfectly. The novella is written in first person from Benji's point of view. This works perfectly. I love the totem animals book extract at the start for the condor. These are so well written, too. The continued world-building is fantastic. I love all the characters. I enjoyed Benji and Daniel's story developing further. Their interactions were beautiful, and this book broke me. I definitely recommend Condor and the series!!!
March 3, 2026
Favorite one so far! Excited for the next one
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews