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The Sparks of Dissent
ABANDONED BY FRIENDS. SURROUNDED BY FOES.
NOT GIVING AN INCH.
After Brina Springtide's daring attack on God's Maul prison, the empire's merciless grip tightens around every throat in the Sundered Isles. A budding rebellion is forced into the shadows. Alone, Brina hunts the nighttime streets of Doorstep's Ditch, where imperial spies lurk at every corner. When she intercepts secret orders revealing the Cardinal’s imminent assault on Bior, the rebellion's strongest ally, Brina races against time to rally an army that can withstand the empire's tidal wave.
Bior trembles as darkhelm battalions sweep across bloodstained shores in overwhelming numbers. Trapped between prophecies of doom and darkhelm maces, Brina and her scattered forces face certain death. With their backs against the sea and the empire's crimson banners blotting out the sun, they must make their final stand—an impossible battle against an enemy that has never known defeat.
NOT GIVING AN INCH.
After Brina Springtide's daring attack on God's Maul prison, the empire's merciless grip tightens around every throat in the Sundered Isles. A budding rebellion is forced into the shadows. Alone, Brina hunts the nighttime streets of Doorstep's Ditch, where imperial spies lurk at every corner. When she intercepts secret orders revealing the Cardinal’s imminent assault on Bior, the rebellion's strongest ally, Brina races against time to rally an army that can withstand the empire's tidal wave.
Bior trembles as darkhelm battalions sweep across bloodstained shores in overwhelming numbers. Trapped between prophecies of doom and darkhelm maces, Brina and her scattered forces face certain death. With their backs against the sea and the empire's crimson banners blotting out the sun, they must make their final stand—an impossible battle against an enemy that has never known defeat.
468 pages, Paperback
Published May 19, 2025
10 people want to read
About the author
Dan F. Swinnen
3 books10 followersHi there!
My name is Dan. I am the author of the epic fantasy series The Sparkgazer Saga. I was born in 1994, and I live in the greatest city on earth: Ghent, Belgium. (Seriously, look up ‘Gravensteen’ and tell me I’m lying.)
I’ve always been a bit of a misfit. To me, the real world is like one of those woolen Christmas sweaters, it’s itchy, sweaty, and tight around the chest. Stories provide an escape from that. They allow us, if only for a moment, to forget the mundane and to experience life from a new perspective.
There is something magical about getting lost in strange new worlds filled with monsters, sorcery, and larger-than-life personalities. Some characters become friends, others bitter enemies. Each of them teaches us something about life and ourselves.
Ever since I read Lord of the Rings as a kid, I dreamed of one day adding my own contribution to the vast and diverse world of fantasy literature. I wanted to do for some lonely kid sitting in their bedroom with nothing but a stack of books for company, what Tolkien, Sanderson, and Pratchett did for me.
I started many times, and I stopped just as often.
In the end, DM’ing a Dungeons and Dragons campaign for my friends gave me just enough confidence to push through. It took me close to five years, but today I am proud to say my debut trilogy The Sparkgazer Saga is officially finished. And I am far from done.
Thank you for your interest in my work, it means everything to me. I will continue to strive to bring you the best stories I possibly can. New realms and characters are already in the works. Subscribe to my newsletter at www.danfswinnen.com to join me in my journey to far and treacherous lands
My name is Dan. I am the author of the epic fantasy series The Sparkgazer Saga. I was born in 1994, and I live in the greatest city on earth: Ghent, Belgium. (Seriously, look up ‘Gravensteen’ and tell me I’m lying.)
I’ve always been a bit of a misfit. To me, the real world is like one of those woolen Christmas sweaters, it’s itchy, sweaty, and tight around the chest. Stories provide an escape from that. They allow us, if only for a moment, to forget the mundane and to experience life from a new perspective.
There is something magical about getting lost in strange new worlds filled with monsters, sorcery, and larger-than-life personalities. Some characters become friends, others bitter enemies. Each of them teaches us something about life and ourselves.
Ever since I read Lord of the Rings as a kid, I dreamed of one day adding my own contribution to the vast and diverse world of fantasy literature. I wanted to do for some lonely kid sitting in their bedroom with nothing but a stack of books for company, what Tolkien, Sanderson, and Pratchett did for me.
I started many times, and I stopped just as often.
In the end, DM’ing a Dungeons and Dragons campaign for my friends gave me just enough confidence to push through. It took me close to five years, but today I am proud to say my debut trilogy The Sparkgazer Saga is officially finished. And I am far from done.
Thank you for your interest in my work, it means everything to me. I will continue to strive to bring you the best stories I possibly can. New realms and characters are already in the works. Subscribe to my newsletter at www.danfswinnen.com to join me in my journey to far and treacherous lands
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 23, 2026
My rating 4.6
The fantasy novel "The Sparks of Dissent (The Sparkgazer Saga Book 2)" by Dan F. Swinnen is the second part of the series that I liked just as much as the first part. I enjoyed the author's description of the landscape and characters in the world in which the action takes place. As in the first part, we follow an interesting story about the struggle of the oppressed against a superior and dangerous enemy. The author easily draws us into this interesting fantasy world.
Now, a little about the story
Brina has freed her father from God's Maul prison, from which no one has escaped before. All of her allies, like her, are on the run from the Bishop's law and his Black Helmets. They are slowly gathering allies and oppressed people who have fled the terror that the Bishop's reign of terror brought upon them after the occupation. Brina takes revenge on the Black Helmets herself, and during one such expedition, accidentally discovers the Bishop's plans for an attack on one of the islands. If that island falls, any resistance will be in vain, so she, her father, and the rest of her group must urgently find allies. If they fail, their small group will have to face the Bishop's enormous army, along with the few defenders. Brina's life and the lives of all the rebels will depend on whether they manage to find their allies.
I would recommend the book to all fantasy fans.
The fantasy novel "The Sparks of Dissent (The Sparkgazer Saga Book 2)" by Dan F. Swinnen is the second part of the series that I liked just as much as the first part. I enjoyed the author's description of the landscape and characters in the world in which the action takes place. As in the first part, we follow an interesting story about the struggle of the oppressed against a superior and dangerous enemy. The author easily draws us into this interesting fantasy world.
Now, a little about the story
Brina has freed her father from God's Maul prison, from which no one has escaped before. All of her allies, like her, are on the run from the Bishop's law and his Black Helmets. They are slowly gathering allies and oppressed people who have fled the terror that the Bishop's reign of terror brought upon them after the occupation. Brina takes revenge on the Black Helmets herself, and during one such expedition, accidentally discovers the Bishop's plans for an attack on one of the islands. If that island falls, any resistance will be in vain, so she, her father, and the rest of her group must urgently find allies. If they fail, their small group will have to face the Bishop's enormous army, along with the few defenders. Brina's life and the lives of all the rebels will depend on whether they manage to find their allies.
I would recommend the book to all fantasy fans.
July 5, 2025
In a nutshell, the second book in the Sparkgazer Saga is definitely worth reading and is a strong follow-up to the first part. I’m already looking forward to the next!
Spoiler alert!
From a hopeless, desolate scenery the rebels part ways and embark on different island adventures. Some explore new territory and take heroic actions, while others reunite with old ‘friends’ and are haunted by their past demons. The storylines have a great buildup, variety, and plenty of captivating moments that had me reading more than 50 pages in one go (something that almost never happens).
The sudden arrival of the Weavers felt like a minor element during one of the book’s tenser moments, but it didn’t take away from the experience or the 5-star review I’m leaving behind.
Spoiler alert!
From a hopeless, desolate scenery the rebels part ways and embark on different island adventures. Some explore new territory and take heroic actions, while others reunite with old ‘friends’ and are haunted by their past demons. The storylines have a great buildup, variety, and plenty of captivating moments that had me reading more than 50 pages in one go (something that almost never happens).
The sudden arrival of the Weavers felt like a minor element during one of the book’s tenser moments, but it didn’t take away from the experience or the 5-star review I’m leaving behind.
June 2, 2025
While building up the rebellion’s forces to fight, valuable intel about the Cardinal’s plans to attack their strongest ally alters their course of action to prevent the unthinkable tipping of odds in The Sparks of Dissent: The Sparkgazer Saga Book Two by Dan F. Swinnen.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
As the rebellion builds up forces in the periphery, evading notice and capture as much as possible, in preparation to fight against the oppressive control that the Cardinal’s plans and forces exert across the empire, Brina gains intel of orders to storm Bior, an ally of the rebellion and a source of fiercely strong fighters, which sparks a mission of a different kind: one of a diplomatic nature to gather allies to form an army more able to withstand the empire’s onslaught, a rare opportunity to be a step ahead of their enemy. As Brina and her father travel to seek out alliances with the Morassians and Heemians, they are surprised to find on their ship Solana, an enemy who they and the empire believed dead, asking for their help to reunite with her sister, who Brina could connect her with, but distrust and grievances against Solana run deep, which only Abrasax’s cool-headed intervention helps Brina to see the benefit that Solana’s aid could be to their cause. While gaining allies and obtaining funding for arming and feeding the rebellion’s army doesn’t go as expected, traveling through the Misty Straits to escape capture leads to an encounter with Wiley Walter, where Brina learns the details of his foresight for what their fighting will entail as well as of a third power she may be able to wield. While the battle has far from begun, the war for survival and control wages on.
Following the events set in motion within The Shape of Power, this second book in the saga features political maneuvering through the diplomatic endeavor to rally the similarly oppressed in new, distinct, and vividly described locales within the world to the rebellion’s cause, putting to use Abrasax’s name and notoriety while also expanding upon his character, humanizing him beyond Brina’s and others’ perspective and idolization of him and his past actions as he deals with PTSD from his time spent in prison. Moving between the various characters established in the first book as they each undertake their respective tasks to further and benefit the rebellion’s cause as the story progresses, their characters are provided a bit more depth through added backstory and new obstacles to overcome while staying consistent with how they were originally portrayed, ultimately heightening the stakes of what they’re fighting for; Brina again serves as the uniting focal point of the various groups but more time is given to developing out other characters and the relevance that their actions contribute toward the greater cause that deepens reader investment while broadening the scope of the rebellion's overall societal impact. Action-filled scenes, particularly the storm of Bior, offered a battle-rich environment without simply sitting and waiting after planning, propelling the narrative forward toward the conclusion of this installment, resolving some matters while leaving some open in the war waging relentlessly on.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
As the rebellion builds up forces in the periphery, evading notice and capture as much as possible, in preparation to fight against the oppressive control that the Cardinal’s plans and forces exert across the empire, Brina gains intel of orders to storm Bior, an ally of the rebellion and a source of fiercely strong fighters, which sparks a mission of a different kind: one of a diplomatic nature to gather allies to form an army more able to withstand the empire’s onslaught, a rare opportunity to be a step ahead of their enemy. As Brina and her father travel to seek out alliances with the Morassians and Heemians, they are surprised to find on their ship Solana, an enemy who they and the empire believed dead, asking for their help to reunite with her sister, who Brina could connect her with, but distrust and grievances against Solana run deep, which only Abrasax’s cool-headed intervention helps Brina to see the benefit that Solana’s aid could be to their cause. While gaining allies and obtaining funding for arming and feeding the rebellion’s army doesn’t go as expected, traveling through the Misty Straits to escape capture leads to an encounter with Wiley Walter, where Brina learns the details of his foresight for what their fighting will entail as well as of a third power she may be able to wield. While the battle has far from begun, the war for survival and control wages on.
Following the events set in motion within The Shape of Power, this second book in the saga features political maneuvering through the diplomatic endeavor to rally the similarly oppressed in new, distinct, and vividly described locales within the world to the rebellion’s cause, putting to use Abrasax’s name and notoriety while also expanding upon his character, humanizing him beyond Brina’s and others’ perspective and idolization of him and his past actions as he deals with PTSD from his time spent in prison. Moving between the various characters established in the first book as they each undertake their respective tasks to further and benefit the rebellion’s cause as the story progresses, their characters are provided a bit more depth through added backstory and new obstacles to overcome while staying consistent with how they were originally portrayed, ultimately heightening the stakes of what they’re fighting for; Brina again serves as the uniting focal point of the various groups but more time is given to developing out other characters and the relevance that their actions contribute toward the greater cause that deepens reader investment while broadening the scope of the rebellion's overall societal impact. Action-filled scenes, particularly the storm of Bior, offered a battle-rich environment without simply sitting and waiting after planning, propelling the narrative forward toward the conclusion of this installment, resolving some matters while leaving some open in the war waging relentlessly on.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2025
The first book was promising. It made for a good read with an interesting world and clear stakes for a myriad of different characters. The Shape of Power had me hooked but I still needed to be reeled in.
And man, did this episode succeed in doing that. This one felt like it had a bit of a heavier/darker tone and posed a more complex conflict which I really liked. I also really liked the divide in different characters arc's. The first book already utilised multiple povs but this one juggles multiple struggles and locations, while keeping the pace for the main plotline going. I especially loved the 'non-combat' action scenes. Swinnen knows how to write interesting conundrums.
Most importantly, I feel like the author managed to do what every sequel needs to do, up the stakes and set up for a finale.
If you liked the first book, I urge you to follow up with this one and I am pumped to read the conclusion of this saga!
And man, did this episode succeed in doing that. This one felt like it had a bit of a heavier/darker tone and posed a more complex conflict which I really liked. I also really liked the divide in different characters arc's. The first book already utilised multiple povs but this one juggles multiple struggles and locations, while keeping the pace for the main plotline going. I especially loved the 'non-combat' action scenes. Swinnen knows how to write interesting conundrums.
Most importantly, I feel like the author managed to do what every sequel needs to do, up the stakes and set up for a finale.
If you liked the first book, I urge you to follow up with this one and I am pumped to read the conclusion of this saga!
October 27, 2025
The plot thickens in all the right ways, making the reading experience so much more rewarding. Some storylines that were subtly planted in the first book are now bearing fruit, and I suspect/hope that a few others are still quietly building up (looking/not looking at you, Brina!). Wiley Walter’s character really sparked my imagination. The giant spiders felt a bit cliché, but maybe that’s a necessary ingredient if you’re aiming for true fantasy classic status.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews