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The Fall Gauntlet: SHARK
The storms of Ikanos have passed, but Benji’s inner storm is only just beginning …
He, Soren, and Lyaza board a ship bound for the Tangerine Islands, seeking the elusive mask maker—their only hope to shut down the Crown, fix Soren’s mask, and uncover the truth about their missing mother. First, they must cross the Unfathomable Sea, an ocean with secrets as deep as its waters.
People hold secrets too. Adioudi is more than just a combat specialist—he’s also the ship’s captain, and his island homeland has suffered horrors he’ll never forget. His decision to train Benji and Soren is far from selfless. And his niece and nephew, Tamahri and Javao, have agendas of their own.
When Javao challenges Benji to a duel, it’s clear he’s playing a deeper game. Then Soren—desperate to belong and prove himself—joins Javao’s crew of tattooed islanders, known as “the sharks,” on a risky heist to steal masks meant for the Crown. Feeling abandoned and fearing he’s losing his brother to a new family, Benji follows.
As Benji nears a point of no return, he realizes his only lifeline is his lynx mask. But putting it on may create more problems than it solves.
Which is exactly what Javao wants.
The Fall Gauntlet continues …
J. A. Merkel’s SHARK 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.
He, Soren, and Lyaza board a ship bound for the Tangerine Islands, seeking the elusive mask maker—their only hope to shut down the Crown, fix Soren’s mask, and uncover the truth about their missing mother. First, they must cross the Unfathomable Sea, an ocean with secrets as deep as its waters.
People hold secrets too. Adioudi is more than just a combat specialist—he’s also the ship’s captain, and his island homeland has suffered horrors he’ll never forget. His decision to train Benji and Soren is far from selfless. And his niece and nephew, Tamahri and Javao, have agendas of their own.
When Javao challenges Benji to a duel, it’s clear he’s playing a deeper game. Then Soren—desperate to belong and prove himself—joins Javao’s crew of tattooed islanders, known as “the sharks,” on a risky heist to steal masks meant for the Crown. Feeling abandoned and fearing he’s losing his brother to a new family, Benji follows.
As Benji nears a point of no return, he realizes his only lifeline is his lynx mask. But putting it on may create more problems than it solves.
Which is exactly what Javao wants.
The Fall Gauntlet continues …
J. A. Merkel’s SHARK 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.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
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 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 12, 2025
As Benji and Soren continue their journey, is there anybody that they can truly trust?! Shark has shown them there is still so much they don’t know about the animal totems, the Fall Gauntlet, or the Crown! The only ones they can rely on are each other, everybody else seems to have their own agenda. I’m excited to see what these brothers have to face next. This series just keeps getting better.
October 10, 2025
I always look forward to the next installation of The Fall Gauntlet! It's always about the brothers for me, but I love how the new characters are introduced and always look forward to who we will meet next. This book is really well paced, packed full of adventure and suspense, and had me speculating all book! It was incredibly enjoyable to sit down over a weekend with this book- really draws you in from the moment you pick it up!
July 28, 2025
The storms have finally subsided. Benji, Soren, and Lyaza are en route to the Tangerine Islands to train with Adioudi. They are still searching for a way to permanently disable the Crown and locate the mask maker who can assist them in repairing Soren’s mask.
Adioudi’s niece and nephew, Tamahri and Javao, have their own plans. What might they be up to? Could they be attempting to implicate someone else for their actions? Perhaps they are merely toying with people's lives.
Soren makes the decision to join Javao’s band of tattooed islanders, referred to as “the sharks,” to seize masks that are meant for the Crown. Soren feels the need to demonstrate his worthiness even without his mask.
Benji opts to accompany him, fearing that he might be losing his brother to a new family. Both Soren and Benji continue to grapple with the events that transpired on the bullet train in their own unique ways.
I have thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in another captivating tale from The Fall Gauntlet series and eagerly anticipate more adventures in this incredible world. The more I delve into the stories, the more I crave to continue reading. Each narrative is packed with unexpected twists and turns that keep me racing to discover the outcome.
I wholeheartedly recommend SHARK to anyone in search of their next thrilling adventure! Snag a copy of SHARK today and accompany Soren and Benji on their latest journey!
Adioudi’s niece and nephew, Tamahri and Javao, have their own plans. What might they be up to? Could they be attempting to implicate someone else for their actions? Perhaps they are merely toying with people's lives.
Soren makes the decision to join Javao’s band of tattooed islanders, referred to as “the sharks,” to seize masks that are meant for the Crown. Soren feels the need to demonstrate his worthiness even without his mask.
Benji opts to accompany him, fearing that he might be losing his brother to a new family. Both Soren and Benji continue to grapple with the events that transpired on the bullet train in their own unique ways.
I have thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in another captivating tale from The Fall Gauntlet series and eagerly anticipate more adventures in this incredible world. The more I delve into the stories, the more I crave to continue reading. Each narrative is packed with unexpected twists and turns that keep me racing to discover the outcome.
I wholeheartedly recommend SHARK to anyone in search of their next thrilling adventure! Snag a copy of SHARK today and accompany Soren and Benji on their latest journey!
November 10, 2025
Another winner in my book! SHARK is the newest entry in The Fall Gauntlet series, and this time Benji and Soren are setting sail across the Unfathomable Sea. I will say, this latest installment stressed me out a bit. Mainly because I have a fear of open water and not being able to see what lies below the surface. Not to mention I think sharks are terrifying creatures. So I held my breath and braced for the tension that I was sure would come. And it certainly did! The part where they jumped into the ocean AT NIGHT and basically swam with the sharks? Hard pass for me. With that said, bravo for making me feeling all the stress induced terror during this moment.
We also explore the element of betrayal. You know that saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Yeah, that very much was happening during this boat ride across the sea. But I loved it! Not knowing exactly who could be trusted made for an interesting time on the high seas!
And then of course, there is the introduction of the next mask, this time being the shark. One of the many aspects of this series I love is the moment in each book when the masks are introduced. They are all so unique, and it makes me want to collect them like Pokémon. Gotta catch them all!
Once again, we are given a climatic showdown near the end of the book, and once again, it does not disappoint. This leads to an intriguing revelation about certain plans that are being put into motion to counteract the Crown. And lucky, or unlucky, for brothers Benji and Soren, they find themselves smack dab in the middle of the entire mess.
I will be eagerly awaiting the release of the next book. I’m so excited to see where things go from here!
We also explore the element of betrayal. You know that saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Yeah, that very much was happening during this boat ride across the sea. But I loved it! Not knowing exactly who could be trusted made for an interesting time on the high seas!
And then of course, there is the introduction of the next mask, this time being the shark. One of the many aspects of this series I love is the moment in each book when the masks are introduced. They are all so unique, and it makes me want to collect them like Pokémon. Gotta catch them all!
Once again, we are given a climatic showdown near the end of the book, and once again, it does not disappoint. This leads to an intriguing revelation about certain plans that are being put into motion to counteract the Crown. And lucky, or unlucky, for brothers Benji and Soren, they find themselves smack dab in the middle of the entire mess.
I will be eagerly awaiting the release of the next book. I’m so excited to see where things go from here!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews