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Village of the Golden Gleam
An intrepid band of non-humans is forced to physically transform themselves to survive on Earth. Over time, they evolve to become human, and perhaps more than they might wish. They are a fascinating group. You will find yourself not just reading about the villagers but caring for them too, all the while wondering who they are, as well as, and more importantly, what they might be. But, if you are right, and you just might be, that changes everything, doesn't it? Maybe you won’t feel the same.
But you may come to believe, the villagers are who we should be, and not so much the way we apparently are. The village represents a simpler time in our history where small moments matter, and community is everything. It is a comfortable place, a warm place. It is timeless and feels strikingly relevant too, especially in these days of change, calamity, and war.
The crisis that falls upon them is an unexpected rescue attempt 400 years after their arrival. But can you go back to the time when everything was good but not always right? Or should you take a chance with a new vision and stick with it? After all, you are not who you once were. You are now almost, but not quite, human.
"A remarkable, thought-provoking, and tender novel - both timeless and timely - Village of the Golden Gleam invites readers to dream, to feel, and to reflect on the golden gleam within us." Jeyran Main, Review Tales
“…the kind of novel that lingers quietly in the heart long after the last page is turned. It’s a rare calm, wise, and utterly sincere. Highly recommended.” –– Pauli’s Exclusive
"John Talisker's whimsical novel, The Village of the Golden Gleam, gently presents us with big themes dealing with relationships, with change, and with love, loss, and dying. All these themes are interwoven within the magical village, offering an alien perspective that is almost human, but not quite." —Amazon Reviewer.
But you may come to believe, the villagers are who we should be, and not so much the way we apparently are. The village represents a simpler time in our history where small moments matter, and community is everything. It is a comfortable place, a warm place. It is timeless and feels strikingly relevant too, especially in these days of change, calamity, and war.
The crisis that falls upon them is an unexpected rescue attempt 400 years after their arrival. But can you go back to the time when everything was good but not always right? Or should you take a chance with a new vision and stick with it? After all, you are not who you once were. You are now almost, but not quite, human.
"A remarkable, thought-provoking, and tender novel - both timeless and timely - Village of the Golden Gleam invites readers to dream, to feel, and to reflect on the golden gleam within us." Jeyran Main, Review Tales
“…the kind of novel that lingers quietly in the heart long after the last page is turned. It’s a rare calm, wise, and utterly sincere. Highly recommended.” –– Pauli’s Exclusive
"John Talisker's whimsical novel, The Village of the Golden Gleam, gently presents us with big themes dealing with relationships, with change, and with love, loss, and dying. All these themes are interwoven within the magical village, offering an alien perspective that is almost human, but not quite." —Amazon Reviewer.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2025
13 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
John Talisker
6 books7 followersJohn Talisker lives an eclectic lifestyle immersed in isolation, beautiful views, dark skies, and a deep passion for writing the best novels he can. He has English roots, some Scottish peat in his blood, and even a twist of the Irish. He has a lot of good stories in him.
John Talisker can be reached at jdreid1p0.com
John Talisker can be reached at jdreid1p0.com
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 15, 2025
Village of the Golden Gleam is a captivating read that will have you wishing you could visit this ideal village with quite the cast of characters that you can't help but admire.
The book is a blend of sci fi/ fantasy with a touch of romance.
The characters may not be considered human but to me they were charming, intelligent, naive and just like your best friend.
The village is facing doom and gloom but together they will rally and work as one to save the only life they know. They are respected from near and far .
I cheered them on, I cried with them, I laughed out loud with them and mostly I admired them.
John Talisker leads the reader down a path of hope and intigue complete that will keep those pages turning for just one more chapter.
I hated the book to end and I wont soon forget the Village of the Golden Gleam.
The book is a blend of sci fi/ fantasy with a touch of romance.
The characters may not be considered human but to me they were charming, intelligent, naive and just like your best friend.
The village is facing doom and gloom but together they will rally and work as one to save the only life they know. They are respected from near and far .
I cheered them on, I cried with them, I laughed out loud with them and mostly I admired them.
John Talisker leads the reader down a path of hope and intigue complete that will keep those pages turning for just one more chapter.
I hated the book to end and I wont soon forget the Village of the Golden Gleam.
January 13, 2026
Overall great food for thought.
Village of the Golden Gleam by John Talisker
Good! Tho ...(see below). Aliens sort of stranded on earth 400 yrs ago create a village encased by invisible barrier where they live a kinda utopian existence. The eldest is a master genetic manipulator who creates for them human-like bodies so they can flourish on Earth's flora & fauna.
Overall great food for thought. Tho very confusing at times (esp timeline jumps, and obfuscation by MCs when asked a question), and much info missing like their interaction with humans (leaving room for bks 2 & beyond?, hopefully!).
Village of the Golden Gleam by John Talisker
Good! Tho ...(see below). Aliens sort of stranded on earth 400 yrs ago create a village encased by invisible barrier where they live a kinda utopian existence. The eldest is a master genetic manipulator who creates for them human-like bodies so they can flourish on Earth's flora & fauna.
Overall great food for thought. Tho very confusing at times (esp timeline jumps, and obfuscation by MCs when asked a question), and much info missing like their interaction with humans (leaving room for bks 2 & beyond?, hopefully!).
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews