What do you think?
Rate this book
When The Gates Close
He was meant to guard the light—until the darkness answered first.
Milo is training to become a Warden, sworn protector to a priestess he’s destined to wed. But as rebellion flares against a king who’s forsaken his people, Milo is torn between duty and the firebrand ideals of justice, freedom, and revolution—championed by his closest friend.
The Ember Pact demands change. The Tally enforces order. Trapped between rising chaos and the temple’s sacred code, Milo walks a razor-thin path—one shadowed by rivalries, temptation, and a forbidden power no Warden should possess. It feeds on the fallen and remembers things he never lived. Whispers stir in his mind, guiding his hands with skills he never learned—and they’re growing harder to silence.
As Velograd teeters on the edge, Milo must uphold a broken peace or help burn the old world down.
But in a city where every choice cuts deep, the greatest war may be the one within.
Milo is training to become a Warden, sworn protector to a priestess he’s destined to wed. But as rebellion flares against a king who’s forsaken his people, Milo is torn between duty and the firebrand ideals of justice, freedom, and revolution—championed by his closest friend.
The Ember Pact demands change. The Tally enforces order. Trapped between rising chaos and the temple’s sacred code, Milo walks a razor-thin path—one shadowed by rivalries, temptation, and a forbidden power no Warden should possess. It feeds on the fallen and remembers things he never lived. Whispers stir in his mind, guiding his hands with skills he never learned—and they’re growing harder to silence.
As Velograd teeters on the edge, Milo must uphold a broken peace or help burn the old world down.
But in a city where every choice cuts deep, the greatest war may be the one within.
Audible Audio
Published April 16, 2025
20 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Simon Shugar
33 books36 followersHey, I’m Simon Shugar—fantasy author hooked on telling bold, emotional, action-heavy stories through raw, first-person journeys. If you like coming-of-age arcs, epic stakes, and human struggles in unreal worlds, you're in the right place!
I’m originally from Oxfordshire, England, now living in North Carolina with my wild little toddler and our very chill (and very spoiled) dog, Jasper. I’ve loved fantasy for as long as I can remember—drawn in by the magic, the grit, and the heart at the center of it all.
I studied game design for a bit, then pivoted into software engineering to pay the bills. But somewhere in between code and chaos, I started writing stories—and once I did, I couldn’t stop. Fast forward to now, I’ve written 13 novels across three trilogies and a standalone, with plenty more on the way.
I’m originally from Oxfordshire, England, now living in North Carolina with my wild little toddler and our very chill (and very spoiled) dog, Jasper. I’ve loved fantasy for as long as I can remember—drawn in by the magic, the grit, and the heart at the center of it all.
I studied game design for a bit, then pivoted into software engineering to pay the bills. But somewhere in between code and chaos, I started writing stories—and once I did, I couldn’t stop. Fast forward to now, I’ve written 13 novels across three trilogies and a standalone, with plenty more on the way.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.