Maelstrom Within

by Brian S. Leon

The Deepest Wounds Are Self-Inflicted.

Stuck in a downward spiral of self-pity and guilt over the tragic aftermath of battling a fallen angel, Diomedes cannot bring himself to face the world, let alone the woman he failed to protect. Hiding from everyone, including his benefactor Athena and his responsibilities at the Métis Foundation, he finds solace in someone unexpected.

But avoidance and distractions are not enough. The one thing he cannot escape is trouble. Despite Diomedes's efforts to fall off the grid and forget, a familiar but treacherous figure tracks him down to offer a dangerous solution to correct the misfortune... in exchange for a favor. The steep price includes striking a bargain with an arcane, vengeful being.

Diomedes turns his back on everything he stands for, even at the cost of his closest friends and allies, to pursue a foe who knows he is coming. And the solution may not even work. How far will Diomedes go to assuage a guilty conscience?

390 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2025

About the author

Brian S. Leon is truly a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. He began writing in order to do something with all the useless degrees, knowledge, and skills–most of which have no practical application in civilized society–he accumulated over the years.

His varied interests include, most notably, mythology of all kinds and fishing, and he has spent time in jungles and museums all over the world, studying and oceans and seas across the globe chasing fish, sometimes even catching them. He has also spent time in various locations around the world doing other things that may or may not have ever happened.

Inspired by stories of classical masters like Homer and Jules Verne, as well as modern writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, David Morrell, and Jim Butcher, combined with an inordinate amount of free time, Mr. Leon finally decided to come up with tales of his own.

Brian currently resides in San Diego, California.

Reviews

[Ruth Randell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me by how quiet and heavy it felt. Diomedes isn’t saving the world here, he’s barely holding himself together. His guilt feels real, and while his choices frustrated me, I understood where they came from.

[Melissa Martins Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maelstrom Within is more about emotional fallout than action. Diomedes spiraling after his failure was painful to read, but also very human. This book made me slow down and really sit with his choices.

[WILLIAM BRUNNET · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite in the series so far. It’s darker, messier, and far more personal. Diomedes doesn’t feel like a hero here, he feels like a broken person trying to survive his own conscience.

[Amelie Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made Diomedes feel more human than ever. He’s flawed, stubborn, and hurting—and that honesty worked for me.

[Tiffany Pettersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t rush redemption. Diomedes sits in his guilt, and so does the reader. It’s uncomfortable, but in a way that feels honest rather than dramatic.

[Daniel L. Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional weight in this installment really stood out. The fantasy elements are still there, but the real story is Diomedes versus himself.

[Jane Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maelstrom Within feels like a turning point. Diomedes crosses lines he never would have before, and watching that happen is both frustrating and fascinating.

[Robert J. Hollenbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was slower than I expected, but I can see why. The focus on grief and guilt made the story feel intimate, even if it dragged a bit in places.

[Kevin R. Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated that the book didn’t excuse Diomedes’s choices. His pain explains them, but it doesn’t justify them and that honesty made the story stronger.

[Charles D. Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels heavy in the best way. Diomedes’s inner conflict is intense, and I found myself feeling exhausted alongside him.

[Lon E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional focus was strong, but I missed some of the sharper action from earlier books. Still a solid read.

[Tiffany J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diomedes’s guilt feels earned. The book doesn’t shy away from how deeply his failure affects him.

[Clifford B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this installment deeply relatable in unexpected ways. The fantasy framing doesn’t dilute the emotional realism.

[Bennie M. Vanwinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book asks uncomfortable questions about responsibility and self-forgiveness. It doesn’t offer easy answers.

[Linda B. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I respected the direction this book took, even if it wasn’t always enjoyable to read. Emotional honesty sometimes isn’t.

[Juana Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit me harder than I expected. Diomedes isn’t a superhero here; he’s just a man drowning in guilt. It’s uncomfortable, but it feels real.

[Charlotte Seidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop thinking about Diomedes even after finishing. His mistakes are frustrating, but the author writes them in a way that makes you understand why he makes them.

[Marry Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slower than I hoped, but the emotional depth is impressive. It’s not about fighting monsters this time it’s about fighting himself.

[John Summit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved seeing the darker side of Diomedes. This book shows that being a hero isn’t always about bravery it’s about surviving your own regrets.

[James Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a heaviness in this installment that lingers. The guilt, the choices, the isolation it all feels raw and personal.

[Vado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I wished the story had more action, but I also appreciated the introspection. Diomedes is flawed in a very human way.

[Ana H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moral complexity of this book is its strength. Diomedes does questionable things, and it’s hard to know how to feel about him and I loved that.

[Jane Berra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maelstrom Within isn’t easy to read. The book is quiet but emotionally intense, and it made me reflect on how people punish themselves after failure.

[Marcus Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that sticks with you. Diomedes isn’t heroic; he’s broken. And yet, I couldn’t stop rooting for him in some way.

[Nora Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt frustrated with Diomedes more than once, but that’s part of the appeal. His flaws make him relatable and real.

[Benjamin Pavard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stayed with me longer than I expected. Diomedes's choice made me uncomfortable in some ways

[Ella F. Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absence of comfort in this story made it feel more authentic. Pain isn't resolved quickly here

[D. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diomedes’s self-sabotage is frustrating, but believable. I liked how the story shows that guilt can be as dangerous as any supernatural enemy.

[Sarah Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book feels like a slow burn. It’s more about internal battles than external ones, and I think that’s what sets it apart from the rest of the series.

[Nora william · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how this book focuses on consequences. Every choice Diomedes makes has weight, and you feel it as a reader.