Dropping Into Darkness

by Peter Staadecker

Book 1 of the epic fantasy/eco-Sci-Fi series "The Illyrian Voyages."

After three eco-catastrophes, the world has reverted to a feudal, agricultural society. Led by a ruthless Duke and some very strange cults ... The Monks of St. Bacchan brew a wine with famously unpredictable effects. The Monks of St. Ephebius enlighten the world to the opposing powers of dark and light. The Monks of Han-Bu want to destroy the world. The Tectonic Monks want to save it.

Nyx thinks she's escaped the Duke's vengeance. She's wrong. Sal thinks he's escaped an assassination attempt. Now he's on a journey that will probably kill him anyway, accompanying a physician with a violent past.

Includes a preview of Book 2 of the series.

(Available in mobi format for Kindle, epub format for Kobo and Nook, and in paperback)

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2018

About the author

Peter Staadecker's first book has been shortlisted for the 2018 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, and his children's book was nominated for the Leacock Medal.

In addition to books, he has written on kayaking and sailing for Toronto's largest daily newspaper, The Toronto Star.

He has at various times been a keen sailor, hiker, cross-country skier, diver and photographer.

You'll find detailed info for his books on
https://publishing.staadecker.com

You'll find his occasional musings on books and other topics on https://blog.staadecker.com

Reviews

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following some eco-catastrophes, society has become agrarian-feudal again. In Tarsis, a new Duke has risen to power, who is suppressing dissent, and a rebel sends his daughter Nyx into the mountains to study with a herbalist/healer, Elsin. Meanwhile, in the nearby Killiman Islands, the new Queen tries to murder the King's young son, who joins a monastery in nearby Illyria. Staadecker has written a fun story, with humor and butchered idioms, and some memorable characters, such as Commander Zlod, Dom Uss, and Bach, the pirate. The 241-page book could have used a little more world building and character development. 3.75 stars, rounded up.

[Pascale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and funny. A quick read. Very enjoyable with characters that stayed with me long after finishing the book.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Not only was the story wonderful, but the book was very funny as well! I read it in one day straight.

[Macha · Rating 4 out of 5]

a charming young-adult length story, reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's storytelling for teens with appeal to all ages. cast as a fantasy, the characters are appealing, and the unusual format is that of an adventure quest, with engineering and social puzzles the characters must solve along the way, which gives it the style of a Tall Tales narrative.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I am not an young adrenaline-junky boy, I loved Dropping into Darkness. It's got it all - adventure, ingenious invention, humour, love, philosophy and weak puns. Although best suited for young adults or adolescents, it is a hugely enjoyable read for anyone. The adventure is punctuated by comments on religion, science and the environment, but done in such a fun way that it could give pause for more thoughtful, older readers, but not in a way that slows the pace of the adventure. If you have a difficult nephew who has a birthday, become the most popular aunt ever and give him Dropping Into Darkness - but not before having a very enjoyable preview first.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! With the way it's written, I get the impression that this isn't meant to be a series, but I would love to see more of this world! It wouldn't even have to follow the same characters; there's a lot of things that the author could expand upon... One example: the monks who wander the desert smacking people, and then give them gifts. This, among many other things, was absolutely hilarious to me. But, this can also be used as an example of why I don't believe this is meant to be a series: we were briefly told that these monks later decided to start decapitating people to save on the costs of gifts, and those nearby therefore killed all of them. Kind of messed up? Yeah, but the logic of it is fantastic, as it is with much of the rest of the book.
There's plenty of puns and silly things going on, that make this book incredibly difficult to put down. The short chapters make it even easier to read. Honestly, I'm quite impressed with how much the author managed to fit so much into such a short book, with such short chapters. It leaves you wanting more, but having everything you need to be satisfied with pretty much all parts of the story. I also liked the section at the end of the story, explaining where the author got some of his ideas for this story.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Tera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more

Up front received this as a giveaway. A must read, interesting, engaging and instructive. It is a book I will read any times a d get more details and insight with each one.

[Marie Gravelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read - a good mix of myth, sci-fi, and humour! There were lots of good lines, one of my favorites was: Oracular sayings, likedisposable medical supplies, should be labeled ''single-use only''.

[Margaret Bechtol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun imaginative book! I loved the characters and the writing style. Monks that have odd traditions, people in danger and I recommend highly! i did win this in a giveaway and I'm very happy I did. Hopefully there will be more books like this.

[Heatherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fun action packed story this is it. It is fast paced with charming characters. The only drawback was it was over way too soon.

[ThatNerdyDogMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Peter Staadecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author, my rating is obviously biased. But I've loved the great feedback from readers so far. One of my recent readers said she was alone reading, and absolutely jumped at the end of one of the first chapters when it seemed that ... well I shouldn't give away what happens and what made her jump. :)

[A. Arduvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Sci-Fi with humour, ingenuity, invention and heart. My wife, who doesn't generally read sci-fi read it and took to the book. She says the characters have stuck in her memory, they're strong characters, and likeable (except the villains). Totally agree. A great read.

[B. J. Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

I enjoyed this book it was different and imaginative. The author's imagination, to even think this up, blows me away. I hope there are more books in the series from maybe the Kings point of view,such as him looking for his son.

[Clipinchick]

I received this book for free from the author/publisher in response for an honest review of the book. I have not had the opportunity to read this book at this time. I will add my
review of this book once I have read the book. Thank k you for allowing me the optometrist review your work. I look forward to reading this book.