The Gauntlet

by Patrick T. Reynolds, Daniel Edelman (editor)

In the distant future, the Milky Way Galaxy is home to hundreds of thousands of known habitable planets. For centuries, these planets lived in harmony until the aortavirus disrupted the peace, plunging the galaxy into chaos. Today, no planet is safe from this deadly virus, which continues to ravage its way through the Milky Way, nor from the measures taken to try to contain it. There is only one way for an individual to guarantee their survival, along with that of their loved conquering the Gauntlet.

Year after year, challengers compete for one of the six available slots, seeking the privilege of running the Gauntlet. With promises of immortality and a safe haven from infection, the Gauntlet entices the strong and the weak, the brave and the fearful, the greedy and the desperate alike. Capture the Gauntlet crown and live in eternal glory. How hard could it be?

Enter Trip Chaucer. Forced into the life of a planet-hopper when Earth became the latest planet to be culled, Trip has been roaming space ever since, searching for a new place to call home. As time passed and loved ones were lost, his sense of urgency only grew—especially after the birth of his son, Kade. Now, Trip fights for his son and the family that remains. After years of failed attempts, he has achieved the securing a coveted spot in the Gauntlet.

Now, his greatest battle begins.

341 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2025

About the author

Greetings! My name is Pat. I am your typical thirty-something year old working a 9-to-5 in IT. But my true love and my dream job is to become a full-time author. My debut novel - The Gauntlet - is out now and is the first book in The Gauntlet trilogy. Book 2 is in the works and is scheduled for an early 2026 release. If you ever have any questions or just want to chat about books, you can reach me at author.patricktreynolds@gmail.com. Follow me on Instagram for book updates @pat.renolds_

Reviews

[Alec Spellman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read! Kept me enticed throughout and was a great mixup from more lore heavy novels. Ended in quite the cliffhanger and excited to read the next upcoming book in the series!

[Patrick T. Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book.

[Jeremy Sable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read from a new author! Hoping for more from Patrick soon!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and enjoyable by almost any type of reader. The cover is also great for display on bookshelves and coffee tables. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Matthew Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book. It’s giving pokemon plus deadly challenges. I was invested the whole time. I can’t wait for book two…there better be a book two!!

[Erika Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked after only a few pages and ended up reading it all in one day. I couldn't put it down! The story felt fresh while also giving me a sense of nostalgia. If you grew up loving Pokémon and you enjoyed the Hunger Games or Maze Runner this book is made for you!

[Slater Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nostalgia trip with an adult spin on it! Love the idea of making a Pokemon-like story with real stakes, death on the line here. Reynolds does great work building up a narrative drive through the core battles of this novel. And, though three battles building in tension may seem straightforward, the character building between those and the questions raised during and after them always hit the intrigue needed to move faster through, as really want to know what secrets of the Gauntlet are hidden under that perspector mask! Really enjoyed it, and I will say again, Pokemon with stakes!

[LISA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome. From the first page, I was hooked by the vivid storytelling, compelling characters, and emotional depth. I love the intergalactic setting and how immersed into the story you get.

I highly recommend this fun read!

[Naomie Barnabas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling blend of high-stakes survival, emotional depth, and interstellar adventure, this gripping sci-fi epic promises an unforgettable journey through a galaxy torn by chaos and bound by hope.