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The Fall Gauntlet: MANTA
Where do you run when you can no longer outrun yourself?
As the harrowing events of the bullet train haunt Benji, the true and inescapable stakes of the Fall Gauntlet come into sharp focus. The masks don’t choose champions at random, and those pulling the strings aren’t always who they seem.
In Ikanos, violent storms trap Benji, Soren, and crew, blocking their path to the Tangerine Islands. All Benji wants is to escape, forget, and destabilize the mask maker so he can finally save his family.
Then a desperate mother begs Benji and Soren for their help. Her son has gone missing—lost to an Original spirit that may have corrupted him in its bid for freedom. Benji doesn’t want to take on another fight, but he can’t outrun this one—Ikanos’s problems are tied to his own. As the spirit closes in, he realizes another precious life is slipping through his fingers.
He won’t get what he wants. But he may finally get what he needs.
The Fall Gauntlet continues …
J. A. Merkel’s MANTA is part of The Fall Gauntlet, a collection of dystopian sci-fi novellas about Benji and Soren’s quest to outsmart the Crown and reclaim their family, all while learning how to be brothers again.
As the harrowing events of the bullet train haunt Benji, the true and inescapable stakes of the Fall Gauntlet come into sharp focus. The masks don’t choose champions at random, and those pulling the strings aren’t always who they seem.
In Ikanos, violent storms trap Benji, Soren, and crew, blocking their path to the Tangerine Islands. All Benji wants is to escape, forget, and destabilize the mask maker so he can finally save his family.
Then a desperate mother begs Benji and Soren for their help. Her son has gone missing—lost to an Original spirit that may have corrupted him in its bid for freedom. Benji doesn’t want to take on another fight, but he can’t outrun this one—Ikanos’s problems are tied to his own. As the spirit closes in, he realizes another precious life is slipping through his fingers.
He won’t get what he wants. But he may finally get what he needs.
The Fall Gauntlet continues …
J. A. Merkel’s MANTA is part of The Fall Gauntlet, a collection of dystopian sci-fi novellas about Benji and Soren’s quest to outsmart the Crown and reclaim their family, all while learning how to be brothers again.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
2 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
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.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 16, 2025
The underwater world was so unexpected and breathtaking. Each book, Merkel brings you into a new place and it doesn’t disappoint. Really love the direction he took underwater with such a fascinating animal. I actually can’t wait to re read this one as there was so much detail that I wanna make sure I soak it all in - no pun intended!
September 12, 2025
Another great book in The Fall Gauntlet. Benji and Soren continue to avoid the Crown, while also getting closer to figuring out what’s going on with all the animal spirits and the masks. Manta had some amazing story telling and the imagery was really cool! I’m definitely ready to ‘dive in’ to the next book.
July 28, 2025
MANTA is the fifth book in J. A. Merkel’s The Fall Gauntlet series. From the very first page, I was drawn into its universe. It quickly became apparent how much I had missed following the stories of Benji and Soren.
There were moments when I encountered something particularly intriguing, and my thoughts would drift as I reflected on what I had just read, but it only took a few words to pull my focus back with something equally captivating.
Benji and Soren find themselves on an island, preparing for the Fall Gauntlet while recuperating from their previous skirmish. Benji struggles to cope with the aftermath of that battle and expresses his desire never to don a mask again. Meanwhile, Soren strives to support his brother through the grieving process.
Every day, a woman watches Benji and Soren train on the beach. Eventually, she gathers the strength to approach them for assistance. Eleki’s son has gone missing, and she seeks their help in locating him. She is aware of their secret regarding the mask.
MANTA presents yet another thrilling escapade in The Fall Gauntlet series, certain to capture your interest with its many unexpected developments that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
I strongly suggest MANTA to all enthusiasts of dystopian literature. Get your copy of MANTA today for another exciting chapter in Benji and Soren’s adventure!
There were moments when I encountered something particularly intriguing, and my thoughts would drift as I reflected on what I had just read, but it only took a few words to pull my focus back with something equally captivating.
Benji and Soren find themselves on an island, preparing for the Fall Gauntlet while recuperating from their previous skirmish. Benji struggles to cope with the aftermath of that battle and expresses his desire never to don a mask again. Meanwhile, Soren strives to support his brother through the grieving process.
Every day, a woman watches Benji and Soren train on the beach. Eventually, she gathers the strength to approach them for assistance. Eleki’s son has gone missing, and she seeks their help in locating him. She is aware of their secret regarding the mask.
MANTA presents yet another thrilling escapade in The Fall Gauntlet series, certain to capture your interest with its many unexpected developments that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
I strongly suggest MANTA to all enthusiasts of dystopian literature. Get your copy of MANTA today for another exciting chapter in Benji and Soren’s adventure!
October 14, 2025
This series really takes you on an adventure, through the plot of the main characters- but one thing I truly love about this series is it feels like you're traveling to far off lands when you read it! Different cities & ecosystems, as a reader, you truly feel along for the ride and part of the party. This book installation, really tugged at my heart strings and has a tenderness to it. I recommend this to many young YA readers for the action, but as well as the male characters showing healthy vulnerability in their emotions, which I feel is a great tool in out youths toolkits. Love that the author "normalizes" it! Great message about the bonds of family as well.
November 9, 2025
I’ve become so obsessed with this series! Book 5, MANTA, is yet another masterpiece. We get to see some great character development for Benji, as he struggles to come to terms with the emotions that torment him after the climatic events of book 4, CONDOR. Meanwhile, another mask has awakened in the coastal town of Ikanos. Can Benji save himself, while also keeping the citizens safe from harm? And is he strong enough to rescue a mother’s son from the clutches of the Manta before they both drown in the darkness that threatens to consume them?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews