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The Gale Age
Fantasy Debut - Clouds flow upward from underground, a source of magic and fuel for lanterns. Colorless Gloom surrounds the last strongholds of life, and some say the clouds will soon stop flowing.
Embark on an epic escape through a fading world, where life clings to a thin thread of cloud called Gale.
A war drains the world of color, leaving a toxic Gloom in its wake. Two parents decide the only way to protect their newborn daughter is to climb a city of escape and leave their world behind. They’ll need a magic lantern to breathe, a map to find the city, and a miracle to escape a contract they were both born into—to fight in this war until victory or death.
Embark on an epic escape through a fading world, where life clings to a thin thread of cloud called Gale.
A war drains the world of color, leaving a toxic Gloom in its wake. Two parents decide the only way to protect their newborn daughter is to climb a city of escape and leave their world behind. They’ll need a magic lantern to breathe, a map to find the city, and a miracle to escape a contract they were both born into—to fight in this war until victory or death.
414 pages, Hardcover
Published August 4, 2025
9 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 15, 2025
My synopsis…
In a world draining of color, where Shadowmen lurk behind every grey mist, two parents seek escape with their newborn child.
Nine Gods representing prismatic colors rule the world and protect it through their chosen Celestials. Each Celestial came from the world above and is forever tied to their star and their constellation. The Gods issue their edicts through the ever changing shifts of constellations, which the astronomers and oracles of the world below must read, all in an effort to hold back the Gloom and its dark forces. Or is that their true purpose?
Mr. Daniel has woven a tale full of suspense, action and intrigue. The world seems headed for a dystopian outcome and Madi and Dario only seek refuge with the baby girl, Aerial. But where and how to reach this refuge is the question they struggle with as they embark on a dangerous journey to find safety.
My highlights…
1) The tale is written from the dual perspectives of the parents, Madi and Dario. Each character is richly presented with unique perspectives, interesting back stories and thoughtful motivations. Mr. Daniel made both of his protagonists come alive.
2) The world-building is top-notch. This is not a re-tread of a fantasy Middle-earth or the typical post-apocalyptic world. If anything, it is pre-apocalyptic and serves to increase the tension. The world itself is like a third character in the story and feels very much alive.
3) The magic system is complex yet doesn’t drag down the story. I prefer a super imaginative introduction to the magics. There isn’t one but several types of magics: Celestials, colonists, Gales, and ghosts all have their own systems. I absolutely loved it.
4) The ending: I found the ending very satisfying and applaud Mr. Daniel for his ability to pull such a large, sprawling story together, while setting up the beginning of the next book (I assume it will be a series).
My Conclusion…
What I loved most about the book is that even with a quite unique setting and expansive magical systems, Mr. Daniel never lost sight of very relatable plot and storyline. This was an excellent debut book and I think it has set-up a world that readers will look forward to re-entering over and over again in the future installments.
In a world draining of color, where Shadowmen lurk behind every grey mist, two parents seek escape with their newborn child.
Nine Gods representing prismatic colors rule the world and protect it through their chosen Celestials. Each Celestial came from the world above and is forever tied to their star and their constellation. The Gods issue their edicts through the ever changing shifts of constellations, which the astronomers and oracles of the world below must read, all in an effort to hold back the Gloom and its dark forces. Or is that their true purpose?
Mr. Daniel has woven a tale full of suspense, action and intrigue. The world seems headed for a dystopian outcome and Madi and Dario only seek refuge with the baby girl, Aerial. But where and how to reach this refuge is the question they struggle with as they embark on a dangerous journey to find safety.
My highlights…
1) The tale is written from the dual perspectives of the parents, Madi and Dario. Each character is richly presented with unique perspectives, interesting back stories and thoughtful motivations. Mr. Daniel made both of his protagonists come alive.
2) The world-building is top-notch. This is not a re-tread of a fantasy Middle-earth or the typical post-apocalyptic world. If anything, it is pre-apocalyptic and serves to increase the tension. The world itself is like a third character in the story and feels very much alive.
3) The magic system is complex yet doesn’t drag down the story. I prefer a super imaginative introduction to the magics. There isn’t one but several types of magics: Celestials, colonists, Gales, and ghosts all have their own systems. I absolutely loved it.
4) The ending: I found the ending very satisfying and applaud Mr. Daniel for his ability to pull such a large, sprawling story together, while setting up the beginning of the next book (I assume it will be a series).
My Conclusion…
What I loved most about the book is that even with a quite unique setting and expansive magical systems, Mr. Daniel never lost sight of very relatable plot and storyline. This was an excellent debut book and I think it has set-up a world that readers will look forward to re-entering over and over again in the future installments.
August 8, 2025
The Gale Age is a fast paced fantasy book that puts you immediately into the action.
The chapters are each from the perspective of the two main protagonists who are celestials (holy warriors in this world) who are simply trying to protect their child from the dark and gloomy world they live in and find a way to escape. The gods of the world (the Gales) provide power to their celestials and are believed to carry the hope of the celestials ability to survive amongst Shadowmen and win their escape from the world of gloom.
The book is a great page turner and would be loved by general fantasy lovers particularly for those who enjoy books like Shadow and Bone and the Crows duology.
It has a very interesting world that is slowly revealed chapter by chapter. The world and rules of the world are well thought out and are constantly building chapter by chapter. There are many characters that keep you wondering whether they are good or bad characters, making you eager to see what's next and who you as the reader can trust.
The book has excellent pacing and you will definitely be ready to start the next chapter over and over again late into the night.
The chapters are each from the perspective of the two main protagonists who are celestials (holy warriors in this world) who are simply trying to protect their child from the dark and gloomy world they live in and find a way to escape. The gods of the world (the Gales) provide power to their celestials and are believed to carry the hope of the celestials ability to survive amongst Shadowmen and win their escape from the world of gloom.
The book is a great page turner and would be loved by general fantasy lovers particularly for those who enjoy books like Shadow and Bone and the Crows duology.
It has a very interesting world that is slowly revealed chapter by chapter. The world and rules of the world are well thought out and are constantly building chapter by chapter. There are many characters that keep you wondering whether they are good or bad characters, making you eager to see what's next and who you as the reader can trust.
The book has excellent pacing and you will definitely be ready to start the next chapter over and over again late into the night.
August 7, 2025
So, I don't usually leave reviews, first I've left on Goodreads...but this book truly deserves it, absolute WINNER 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ESPECIALLY for a debut, this is a must-read so put it on your list.
FYI I absolutely cannot STAND people who ruin movies or books so I refuse to give literally anything away, but yeah its a fun gritty story with a light at the end pulling you all the way through. If you enjoy fantasy, especially stuff like Mistborn, you'll love it. And when you read it be sure to review cause I personally am in need of a sequel lol
FYI I absolutely cannot STAND people who ruin movies or books so I refuse to give literally anything away, but yeah its a fun gritty story with a light at the end pulling you all the way through. If you enjoy fantasy, especially stuff like Mistborn, you'll love it. And when you read it be sure to review cause I personally am in need of a sequel lol
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November 11, 2025When you open the book you see black type on cream pages. But from the moment you begin to read you are surrounded by colors, some never seen before. A veritable light show of worlds, inhabitants and adventures. Not like anything I have read before. It draws you in and you won't want to leave. You'll need extras, to give and to share.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews