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Talisman #1.5
The Darktouch
Mr. Rider has a problem. A portal to The Void problem. Scathing whispers from a voice not his own crawl into his thoughts. Shadows stretch across the ornate halls of his home, and his reflection bears the look of face not his own. What begins as an inconvenience quickly descends into horror as Mr. Rider realizes there is a presence inside him, ancient and malevolent. And this presence has plans for him that don’t seem particularly pleasant. When the former dragon hunter with a checkered past is controlled by a living nightmare driven by the chains of its master, the very fate of the realm is soon placed in jeopardy. And Mr. Rider’s past ideology clashing with his current complications may ultimately determine if he is indeed a villain or an ally. A fraud or a father. A harbinger or a hero.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2025
3 people want to read
About the author
Brett Salter
50 books94 followersHey there! I write dragon novels!!!
@talismanbrett -
My background in writing stems mostly from the inspiration I found as a kid when I read Fantasy and Sci-Fi books. These include The Chronicles of Narnia, The Xanth Novels, The Time Quintet, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and everything from Shakespeare to Dr. Seuss. In my formative years, I joined several punk rock bands and wrote songs, poetry, and short stories aplenty. As an adult (?) I took on a dare and wrote the first book in my Talisman Series. I loved the feeling it gave me and the idea of inspiring others so much that I kept writing until I had an entire series.
@Talismanbrett
And now, a massive head's up! I am NOT a professional writer. That's why I write MG/YA instead of High, Epic Fantasy. I do all my own writing, my own editing, my own promoting, and my own stunts with my extremely limited free time. If you are okay overlooking a few typos and comma splices, then we can be friends. If you are expecting the next George R.R. Martin, then my apologies. I write for kids like my own and tell stories meant to entertain. Check out my books if you like action, dragons, and zany characters. Just remember everybody, it's Middle Grade fiction, not Applied Mathematics or Epistemology, so just have fun with it and try not to be too serious.
Stay cool and keep a wary eye out for portals!
@talismanbrett -
My background in writing stems mostly from the inspiration I found as a kid when I read Fantasy and Sci-Fi books. These include The Chronicles of Narnia, The Xanth Novels, The Time Quintet, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and everything from Shakespeare to Dr. Seuss. In my formative years, I joined several punk rock bands and wrote songs, poetry, and short stories aplenty. As an adult (?) I took on a dare and wrote the first book in my Talisman Series. I loved the feeling it gave me and the idea of inspiring others so much that I kept writing until I had an entire series.
@Talismanbrett
And now, a massive head's up! I am NOT a professional writer. That's why I write MG/YA instead of High, Epic Fantasy. I do all my own writing, my own editing, my own promoting, and my own stunts with my extremely limited free time. If you are okay overlooking a few typos and comma splices, then we can be friends. If you are expecting the next George R.R. Martin, then my apologies. I write for kids like my own and tell stories meant to entertain. Check out my books if you like action, dragons, and zany characters. Just remember everybody, it's Middle Grade fiction, not Applied Mathematics or Epistemology, so just have fun with it and try not to be too serious.
Stay cool and keep a wary eye out for portals!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 12, 2025
This book had me hooked from the first page to the last. I even finished it in one sitting which is something that I haven’t done in a LONG time.
I loved the fighting scenes (as always) and it was nice reading Julian’s dad’s perspective.
If I’m going to be completely honest I didn’t remember much about this series when I first started reading this book, but it did slowly come back to me as I kept on reading.
A nice short read that is nice to read when you want a break from the long heavy stuff, or if you’re in a slump.
Thank you Brett Salter for reaching out to me and gifting me with another book into your world.
Enjoy 😘
I loved the fighting scenes (as always) and it was nice reading Julian’s dad’s perspective.
If I’m going to be completely honest I didn’t remember much about this series when I first started reading this book, but it did slowly come back to me as I kept on reading.
A nice short read that is nice to read when you want a break from the long heavy stuff, or if you’re in a slump.
Thank you Brett Salter for reaching out to me and gifting me with another book into your world.
Enjoy 😘
September 9, 2025
Herald Rider: former Grand Hunter of the Council of Man. Heir to the House of Rider. Dragonslayer.
A man who fights to defend the earth from the Darkbrands and Dragons, Herald is an unparalleled combatant fully focused on his goals. Raising his children Julian and Camela to follow in his footsteps, Herald is constantly vigilant for any threats to the world he vowed to defend. But when an ancient menace from the void appears, it’s all Herald can to do maintain his sanity, as he struggles to free himself from the deadly curse of the Darktouch.
I’ve been a huge fan of Brett Salter’s work since I first read “The Search for Synergy” a couple of years ago. As Rome and Julian fought Darkbrands and learned about the Great Synergy, Herald Rider often appeared as an antagonist to their efforts throughout the journey. “The Darktouch: Vol 1.5” turns all of this on its head, as we get a deep dive into Herald’s motivations. Though initially misguided about Dragons and the Great Synergy, his motives are clear and very understandable, as he gives his all and fights his hardest to protect the world. And when faced with the deadly menace of a Nocturn, Herald struggles to save his family from the evil within as the Tyrant King plans his invasion of earth.
It's not just any author who can turn a primary antagonist into a sympathetic character, and do it well. I was pulled into “The Talisman Series” like never before, as Herald Rider fights the demon in his head, hoping against hope to outwit a monster that can read his thoughts and memories. The interplay between Herald and the Nocturn is deep and engaging, words of pure poetry swirling around this opposed duo as they fight for mastery. And at the end of it all, this tragic tale of a father held prisoner while he internally screams for help that may never come strikes to the heart like Excalibur itself.
“The Talisman Series” has never failed to engage, inspire, and thrill me as a reader, and this latest canon novella is, in my opinion, the very best of the entire series. Leaving off on a note of despair, this emotional journey is both poignant and absolutely beautiful, showing the hidden pain of a father fighting for his life and mind against a dark force no one else can see.
With fantasy violence and a complex psychological struggle against a mind-invader, this novella is suitable for ages 12 and up who love deep character dives, magic, and tales of family. A story of one man’s battle against the darkness within, this incredibly rich novella earns five out of five shining stars for unparalleled brilliance.
A man who fights to defend the earth from the Darkbrands and Dragons, Herald is an unparalleled combatant fully focused on his goals. Raising his children Julian and Camela to follow in his footsteps, Herald is constantly vigilant for any threats to the world he vowed to defend. But when an ancient menace from the void appears, it’s all Herald can to do maintain his sanity, as he struggles to free himself from the deadly curse of the Darktouch.
I’ve been a huge fan of Brett Salter’s work since I first read “The Search for Synergy” a couple of years ago. As Rome and Julian fought Darkbrands and learned about the Great Synergy, Herald Rider often appeared as an antagonist to their efforts throughout the journey. “The Darktouch: Vol 1.5” turns all of this on its head, as we get a deep dive into Herald’s motivations. Though initially misguided about Dragons and the Great Synergy, his motives are clear and very understandable, as he gives his all and fights his hardest to protect the world. And when faced with the deadly menace of a Nocturn, Herald struggles to save his family from the evil within as the Tyrant King plans his invasion of earth.
It's not just any author who can turn a primary antagonist into a sympathetic character, and do it well. I was pulled into “The Talisman Series” like never before, as Herald Rider fights the demon in his head, hoping against hope to outwit a monster that can read his thoughts and memories. The interplay between Herald and the Nocturn is deep and engaging, words of pure poetry swirling around this opposed duo as they fight for mastery. And at the end of it all, this tragic tale of a father held prisoner while he internally screams for help that may never come strikes to the heart like Excalibur itself.
“The Talisman Series” has never failed to engage, inspire, and thrill me as a reader, and this latest canon novella is, in my opinion, the very best of the entire series. Leaving off on a note of despair, this emotional journey is both poignant and absolutely beautiful, showing the hidden pain of a father fighting for his life and mind against a dark force no one else can see.
With fantasy violence and a complex psychological struggle against a mind-invader, this novella is suitable for ages 12 and up who love deep character dives, magic, and tales of family. A story of one man’s battle against the darkness within, this incredibly rich novella earns five out of five shining stars for unparalleled brilliance.
October 15, 2025
The best book ever written.....LOL
September 5, 2025
Part One of The Talisman Series comes to a close! Thank you for the amazing 8 years!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews