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Balefire: A Dark Fantasy Novella
A NEW SHORT DARK FANTASY NOVELLA
A demon born of human evil
A knight forged in holy fire
A town that he must either save…or destroy!
Alsan is a Paladin of the Intercessor, a holy warrior called to the village of Redgarton to investigate a demonic plague. Powerful magic of his fellow priests has sealed the village against the demon’s escape, and still more powerful mage awaits only his command to destroy demon and village alike.
To save the innocent, the knight must enter the village alone and learn what has unleashed the Abyss amongst them. If he can strike down the demon, his holy oath is sufficient to spare the town the balefire.
But the plague is spreading and the order he leaves behind is simple: come dawn, unleash the balefire.
A demon born of human evil
A knight forged in holy fire
A town that he must either save…or destroy!
Alsan is a Paladin of the Intercessor, a holy warrior called to the village of Redgarton to investigate a demonic plague. Powerful magic of his fellow priests has sealed the village against the demon’s escape, and still more powerful mage awaits only his command to destroy demon and village alike.
To save the innocent, the knight must enter the village alone and learn what has unleashed the Abyss amongst them. If he can strike down the demon, his holy oath is sufficient to spare the town the balefire.
But the plague is spreading and the order he leaves behind is simple: come dawn, unleash the balefire.
- GenresFantasy
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2022
61 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Glynn Stewart
114 books1,749 followersGlynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 17, 2022
THe Goods always prevail
I'll admit, this short novella is a bit different from what I'm used to. But it's pretty good.
It'd be interesting if Glynn Stewart does plan on making this into a arc and see where it leads.
I've noticed that the languages are different.. as if they speak in old english rather than modern. I've seen some reviews that are saying they're typos, but readers should always keep in mind that typos are not always what they seem.
THe idea of celestial empowered priest battling a demon possesed people. I'd lie to read more of the history of paladin and priests in the future books to get a better understanding.
I'll admit, this short novella is a bit different from what I'm used to. But it's pretty good.
It'd be interesting if Glynn Stewart does plan on making this into a arc and see where it leads.
I've noticed that the languages are different.. as if they speak in old english rather than modern. I've seen some reviews that are saying they're typos, but readers should always keep in mind that typos are not always what they seem.
THe idea of celestial empowered priest battling a demon possesed people. I'd lie to read more of the history of paladin and priests in the future books to get a better understanding.
February 16, 2022
Not much there but what there was, was okay
June 4, 2022
This!!!
I read more than a hundred books a year and Balefire is exactly the type of I want to stumble across. The author did more world building in the first 10 pages than many accomplish in 100.
I have been critical of Mr Stewart's work on occasion but he nailed this one. I am only disappointed that this appears to be a stand alone work and the world he so masterfully built will not be expanded upon.
I read more than a hundred books a year and Balefire is exactly the type of I want to stumble across. The author did more world building in the first 10 pages than many accomplish in 100.
I have been critical of Mr Stewart's work on occasion but he nailed this one. I am only disappointed that this appears to be a stand alone work and the world he so masterfully built will not be expanded upon.
July 27, 2025
To quote another reviewer, Joan Lloyd, "Not much there but what there was, was okay"
It was a good short story, as it was clear what was going on. A lot of writer's just can't do short stories. Glynn Stewart clearly can.
I love Glynn Stewart's work. I routinely give them 5 stars out of 5. This one, just ... wasn't exciting enough. It was a day in the life of a magical investigator-executioner-exorcist-priest who has a heart.
It was a good short story, as it was clear what was going on. A lot of writer's just can't do short stories. Glynn Stewart clearly can.
I love Glynn Stewart's work. I routinely give them 5 stars out of 5. This one, just ... wasn't exciting enough. It was a day in the life of a magical investigator-executioner-exorcist-priest who has a heart.
February 16, 2022
An interesting new fantasy universe from a master of fantasy and science fiction. Balefire stands alone but gives a glimpse into an interesting new world. Hopefully, this is just a teaser for a new series.
February 18, 2022
Great little story
It's a very short story filled with suspense, horror, and action. It's a grim and severe world where the evils within brings about horrors from beyond, but there are heros standing guard.
It's a very short story filled with suspense, horror, and action. It's a grim and severe world where the evils within brings about horrors from beyond, but there are heros standing guard.
February 18, 2022
Very enjoyable read.
This story was short enough to read in one setting but long enough to be a complete story. A story set in another universe per se that is maybe as old as mankind. A story of the constant battle of good and evil.
This story was short enough to read in one setting but long enough to be a complete story. A story set in another universe per se that is maybe as old as mankind. A story of the constant battle of good and evil.
February 28, 2022
Wow.
Holy cow! What a ride! That was so intense. I'm intensely sad that it's over. Glynn is a master storyteller. I cannot think of a series he's written that I haven't enjoyed immensely. Thank you Mr. Stewart for the amazing books!
Holy cow! What a ride! That was so intense. I'm intensely sad that it's over. Glynn is a master storyteller. I cannot think of a series he's written that I haven't enjoyed immensely. Thank you Mr. Stewart for the amazing books!
March 2, 2022
Glynn Stewart images a world where demon’s cause disease. Alsan, a Paladin, goes into a plague town to kill the demon before necessity requires Balefire (ebook from Faolan's Pen Publishing) It takes all of his wits to survive. This would be an interesting world to visit for a longer tale.
April 12, 2022
A fun novella in a brand new setting. Paladins and tricky demons, classic conflict. I really enjoyed it, and kind of hoping to see more of this world, it seems like the kind of setting that could be really well fleshed out for a longer novel.
September 14, 2023
4 stars
I had wanted to get a sample of Glynn Stewart’s writing before committing to more of their books and this was a well-written, if however short story I enjoyed. I’m confident I’ll enjoy his other books.
I had wanted to get a sample of Glynn Stewart’s writing before committing to more of their books and this was a well-written, if however short story I enjoyed. I’m confident I’ll enjoy his other books.
February 16, 2022
great short read
I enjoyed this. Full of action and a really quick world build. Fun to read. Nice change in style from his others.
I enjoyed this. Full of action and a really quick world build. Fun to read. Nice change in style from his others.
February 19, 2022
nice
Great world building with lots of action. I wonder if there will be more in this universe? A bit dark.
Great world building with lots of action. I wonder if there will be more in this universe? A bit dark.
March 20, 2022
great read
This novella could have been a novel, twice as long or longer, and it would still have been too short. I hope we get to see more of this world at some point.
This novella could have been a novel, twice as long or longer, and it would still have been too short. I hope we get to see more of this world at some point.
May 28, 2022
Excellent book
I loved the story and the premise. I’m hoping there will be a longer novel about this world in the near future. Loved it…
I loved the story and the premise. I’m hoping there will be a longer novel about this world in the near future. Loved it…
December 11, 2024
This was different
So Priests and Knights vs demons in a small village. Guess what goes wrong right and inbetween read here. Please read.
So Priests and Knights vs demons in a small village. Guess what goes wrong right and inbetween read here. Please read.
July 20, 2022
A short, quick novella that I found on Kindle Unlimited. I haven't read anything from this author yet, although I had heard of the Starship Mage series, but this was a fun, interesting read that deftly handled characters, worldbuilding, and action. Even in a world of demons, humans often perpetuate the worst evil.
April 14, 2022
Went into this not expecting much, but it was REALLY good. Incredibly rich world building in just 50 pages. I felt so attached to each of the characters right away; attesting to Glynn’s skill with words and setting the scene. Always love his works, but I never realized how incredible he is as a fantasy writer in addition to his SF and space opera series’.
I know this won’t be a series, but I’d love any future works by Glynn in a similar genre.
I know this won’t be a series, but I’d love any future works by Glynn in a similar genre.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews