Batal

by Iain Richmond

400 years after a nuclear war, an island fortress stands alone as humanity’s last hope…

a young warrior with a powerful secret begins a quest to unite those left who would stand against the coming darkness.



In the near future, a world of fortified island nations is all that remains.

Separated by walls that climb towards the clouds and vast stretches of dangerous seas, each nation stands alone against a growing force bent on destruction. Desperate to unite the clans, Batal Spartan and a group of Skye Stones bravest warriors set out to build a force to battle the spreading evil.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2019

About the author

Iain Richmond is a writer, prolific SciFi reader, a man of the people, and author of two new post-apocalyptic series, Spartan Chronicles and Oortian Wars.

After spending his first life as a trained designer of small buildings, Iain now enjoys world-building, writing science fiction novels, and short stories. His latest novel, BATAL, Volume I of the Spartan Chronicles will release in late 2019 with his second installment of the Oortian Wars (DARKNESS was the first) following in 2020.

Iain has visited (often worked) where his novels take place (earth only… for now). He spent months in Malta and Africa learning of the history and following in the footsteps of his characters before writing, BATAL, Volume I of the Spartan Chronicles. He remains an avid student of boxing and feels at home trekking into a primitive wilderness. Iain is a lifelong and proud space geek that holds tight to the dream that a ‘warp drive’ will be hand-delivered (three fingers) by a great alien civilization one day soon.

Iain works and writes from his small ranch in northern California. He spends much of his free time traveling with his wife (much better half) and Rónán (aka Devil Dog), his Bernese Mountain Dog. He also brews a mean hard cider (drinks one too).

Writing, designing, and building storyworlds is what he does. Darkness, Book One of the Oortian Wars is his first novel with many more on the way.

He loves hearing from readers and does his best to answer every email (bring your constructive criticism, and don't hold back) iain@iainrichmond.com

For the first look at new novels (or join the rough-draftees), free stories, & other events, join the email list www.iainrichmond.com/iainnation

News & happenings in the Iain–verse: ‘LIKE’ the Iain Richmond Facebook page: facebook.com/iainrichmond

Follow Iain Richmond on Instagram: @iainrichmond

Head to Iain’s Home World: www.iainrichmond.com

If you enjoy these tales, please leave a review and let the world know. Independent authors need your voice as much as their own.

Reviews

[Vlad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I bought this book because of the cover and had never heard of the author. Wow! Was I happy I did. Batal's a book that grabs you, and it was hard to put it down (rare for me). Great pace with characters you care about and a few scenes that made me squirm (once again, rare for me) a bit. A great post-apocalyptic world with a heavy dose of sea adventure without getting overly 'boat driven.'

I love the old-world tech and the 'air assaults' (keep this spoiler-free). The diversity of the characters are highly unusual, but a welcome sight for those (me) who come from similar parts of the world. For dog lovers, DANU the Scottish deerhound is loveable and scary, which is the best combo for canine back up after the fall of humanity. Kaminari, Amira, and Jenna are battle-hardened Guardians but are unique with depth and their own path. Strong female characters that drive the story as much as our hero.

Batal and Mr. Richmond show why indie authors are a key and needed contributor to the world of books. I also see that this is the author's second (or third) novel and I am hungry for more!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the the post-apocalyptic world that is presented in this novel. The ever present threat of (and sometimes occuring) of nuclear missiles falling from their decaying orbital platforms and detonating provides an interesting twist. There is enough description of the world to keep you intrigued and interested and you want to keep reading to find out more. I want to read the next novel to find out answers to all the unanswered questions from this one because there are many that need answered. The innovative technological solutions that some of the societies have developed to survive are interesting and add colour to the world.

My main complaint is that the story has a great pace for the majority of the book, but the last chapter or two seems to just race at too fast a pace. It's as though the author either ran out of steam or was just wanting to get there so much that they just skipped to the end. It was very sudden and abrupt.

That said, I'm going to be waiting rather impatiently for the follow-up.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Graham Master · Rating 4 out of 5]

BATAL is a solid entry into the post-apocalyptic genre. Iain Richmond is a unique voice that reminds me of the early Nicholas Sansbury Smith novels. Skye Stone and the other island nations are all that remains and form the New World. Richmond eludes through his well-developed characters of other potential lands that may harbor life (or death), but the story takes place between Skye Stone (Malta) and the Hiroshima Archipelago (what remains of Japan).

There is a softness (loving-comradery between characters) mixed in with all the battles and fighting that I found beautiful and painful (for the reader to experience). Many strong and distinct characters (female/male) reminded me of my own family/friends and kept me engaged and caring about their welfare.

This is a fast and fascinating read. I blew through it in one long sitting and agree with other reviews that Richmond’s character/world-building is topnotch and I look forward to Volume II in the Spartan Chronicles. I don’t give 5-star reviews as nothing is perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it.

[Melanie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHOA, dude! This book is totally sick! (A voluntary ARC review)

I'm giving Batal by Iain Richmond three stars. It's not bad, really. It's sort of like Waterworld meets Mad Max, and my lack of enthusiasm has less to do with the book than with me: I'm too old, too female, and just not part of the book's target demographic. If, on the other hand, you are a member of the author's target audience, I can promise you will disagree with me wholeheartedly, enjoy the heck out of this story, and rejoice that it is a first-in-series. How to tell if you are, in fact, one of Batal's targeted readers?

1. You interpret the title of this review as praise.
2. You enjoy potty humor - the cruder, the better.
3. You like a high body count, with blood, guts, and disgusting details.
4. Your Mom and your dog are way more important than the girlfriend.
5. Weapons, fighting and battle tactics fascinate you.
6. You like RPGs better than sports.

If this is you, Batal is your book! I'd give you my copy, but my grandson already snagged it...

[Arlen Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start off by saying I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. That does not however sway my opinion. I absolutely loved this book. There is never a dull moment, the story moves quickly, and there is enough detail to give you a good picture of the scene without bogging you down with to much detail that would make it boring. I cannot wait for the second series to come out. The only thing that I might add that would keep people from reading this is that it does use a lot of crass language, graphic violence, and toilet humor.

[Erica W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richmond finds his groove and keeps the pedal down in this post-apocalyptic adventure. This is my 2nd Iain Richmond novel and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters (for us ladies, there are abundant strong female characters/leads). There are a few scenes of graphic violence, but it's never over-the-top or gratuitous (my opinion). Once again, Richmond's imagination and world-building are on full display.

Looking forward to Volume II!

[C.S. O'Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kind of dystopian adventure! Richmond pulls the reader back and forth between light and shadow as the characters rise and fall in this epic introduction into a striking new world.

I read it over a rainy weekend and found myself disappointed I was not able to begin Volume II. Hopefully, it will arrive earlier in 2020.

[Clyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, thought-provoking and transportive. A fresh take on a post-apocalyptic world that is dynamic, and action packed. Its diverse cadre of characters, landscapes and primitive technologies draw you in and simply won't let go.

[Jeffrey A. Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Awesome read and storyline that keeps you enthralled as you read about the lives of humans who survived the nuclear blasts while fighting those who have been tainted by the radioactive debris.

[Brock Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great battles, solid and exciting storyline, almost 'steampunk' TECH (very cool).
Iain Richmond is on my list.

[Ricardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, and more action. Loved Batal, Jenna and Kaminari... and DANU of course!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Richmond's best book yet! The story is fast paced and kept me wondering how Batal could possibly get out of the difficult and deadly situations encountered on his quest. I loved seeing him change from a simple fisherman into a warrior. Richmond is sometimes graphic in his descriptions so this book is not for the faint of heart. The Emerald Towers were particularly gruesome. ;o(
But what an imagination Richmond has! Looking forward to Book Two in this trilogy.