Resilience’s Rook: Book 1 of The Forsaken Forge: A Noble Hero in a Dark Epic Fantasy World

by Tim Facciola

430 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 13, 2027

About the author

When Tim isn’t writing epic fantasy, he can often be found in his garage-gym or in the mountains where he lives. A virtual fitness professional by trade, he integrates his creative passions into movement, training with maces, clubs, staves, and swords to unlock his inner gladiator.

More than writing, reading, gaming, playing music, hiking, and paddle-boarding, Tim loves story. If he’s not working on his own story, he’s helping others develop theirs as an author coach.

Living in Arizona with his wife, Colleen, Tim continues writing epic fantasy novels while exploring different storytelling mediums so he can inspire others to hope. To live. And to believe.

Reviews

[MikeLikesBooks]

I was excited when this author came out with a new epic fantasy series. His first series, A Vengeful Realm, are my all time favorite books. I hopped on Tim’s kickstarter and was able to get a copy of the audiobook. The narrator Landon Spielberg, is one of my favorites. He can do hundreds of different voices.

I really liked that this was in first person. I felt I was on the journey with Eskander. I really liked the world I found myself in too. I listened while commuting to various job sites, so I admit at times my mind would wander. Also I usually listen at 2x speed, but I was having difficulty keeping up with the Arabic accent. Once I slowed down the speed I enjoyed it a lot more. I love the twist and revelations you find in this book. However, I’m not satisfied with my experience and think if I read it in my own voice in my head, I’ll pick up things I know I missed. So this is my first pass at this novel and will read it the next time.

[Jordan]

This is the absolute best book Tim has written so far!

I’m going to keep this short and spoiler free because I implore you, please read it!!!!

Everything about this book; the setting, the characters, the culture,the political intrigue, the fight scenes, absolutely everything about this book is a masterclass! I felt so many emotions while reading this and a few moments had my jaw on the floor!
I was fortunate enough to have early access to this via Kickstarter and I genuinely couldn’t stop thinking about the book when I had to put it down and be a functional adult 😂
So when the book finally drops, do yourself a favor and give it a read! You won’t be disappointed!

[Hope (bookedwithhope)]

High Fantasy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 • 🫑
🌍 world-building • 🖋️writing • 💃🏻 characters
 
••••••••••••••• 
 
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩... 
‣ Unique, well-written worlds with lots of lore 🌍
‣ Political intrigue + quests
‣ Gritty prose with intense battle sequences
‣ Emotional backstories
‣ Questioning your own morality + reasoning
‣ Fighting for those you love 💕
 
𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨… 
Tim Facciola has done it again—𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐤 is an amazing work of art that showcases his stellar world-building and uniquely emotional writing style.

In 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐤, we follow a father going to the ends of the earth for his son. Though there are plenty of iconic action sequences, they are paired with plenty of emotional monologues and the rich inner thoughts of our main character, Eskander.

This story is one of political intrigue combined with opposing beliefs and questioning morality. Oh, and did I mention there’s a really cool magic system? 👀

If you like the intricate, unique world-building style of Brandon Sanderson combined with the more emotional writing style of S.A. Chakraborty and Sabaa Tahir, you will absolutely love 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐤 (as well as Tim’s other series, 𝐀 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐦).

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐤 is the first book in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 series. Though it does give us a solid and satisfying ending, there is plenty of promise for what’s to come in the series. I’m always rooting for Tim and can’t wait to see where he takes these characters next!

[TheCandlelitScribe]

So many incredible things happened in this book and I have been such a slacker on posting my review for it but damn was it good! It's a politically charged who done it mystery in this gorgeous arabian desert setting. With the Miasma, a corruption that plagues the land where monsters called masmyths lurk and a broken connection to the gods. One man who has just lost his son, position, and his home now finds himself on a mission to find out who killed his son and what the hell is happening in the palace. The Eternal Shah, a false god denouncing the daevas and everything Eskander stands for. His close companians and a woamn who isn't what she seems allow him to get one step closer but not before some crazy fight scenes of course. Eskander is coming for your knees if you get in his way and Tim is coming for your soul with the emotion he conveys in this story holy crap!!

I absolutely loved reading this story, the way it flowed, the way I squealed when I realized I was right! Absolutely pick up this book right now and see if you can figure out who killed Turaj before it's revealed and why...

[Garrett Books]

The emotion in this book will grip you from the start. You feel the loss and grief. It’s a story that’s deeply tied to an emotional journey, though it thankfully doesn’t get mired in that.

In my opinion there are two things Tim does that are top tier:

1) fight choreography
2) political intrigue

It’s an odd pairing of talents, but Tim weaves them together beautifully.

That isn’t to say Tim doesn’t have other strengths. His pacing is great. His characters stand out. His dialogue flows well and is really organic. Among other things.

I’m so impressed with the level of research he did for this book. It’s inspired by Persia and well outside the typical Western European fantasy setting. The world feels real and lived in. You will feel like you’re in the desert.

I can’t wait to see where this series goes!

[Hannah Jacobs]

This was an impulse Kickstarter for me. I have never read any of Tim Facciola's other works, but he hooked me with Prince of Persia meets Final Fantasy X. I am so glad I let my impulse control get this story. It was such a refreshing read. Eskander is a character I will dwell on for awhile. His motivations, convictions, and executions were flawlessly flawed. The world building and lore alone immersed me and made the reading experience invigorating. I am so excited for the next book. "
With Strength, I remember.
With breath, I endure.
In stillness, I am reborn."

[Matt Mitchell]

He's done it again!!! I love A Vengeful Realm... So I was excited to see what he did with this one. He didn't disappoint.

I absolutely love Facciola's writing style. His pacing is perfect. This world he's built feels real. It's gritty, with lore thrown in to it. The way he writes fight scenes is 🤌. I can picture every movement the characters are making. This was an easy 5 star for me. He's become an automatic buy author for me. Every book I've read by him has been a 5 star read.