To give you a little update, work and editing on Maleki is still going on. Hopefully I will have a better update for you shortly. It doesn't look like any more books are coming out this year though.
On another note, I don't think I have blogged about the status of the books on this website much before, but I am now. We will see if it is a trend that continues though. If you think I should leave a comment and if you don't, just do nothing (or say) and I will probably stop.
If I haven't said it on here before, editing a book is brutal. I wrote the book, a first draft, and thought I was close to done, but no, the writing is the easy part, the editing is the hard part. Anyways, work goes on and updates will follow. If you haven't already, make sure to sub to the email list on here, as updates will be provided there.
I’m thrilled to share a quick update: I think the book Maleki is nearly ready for release! I’ve finally gotten through nearly all of my editor's comments. Hopefully they feel the same! After this last check, it's just the final polish with my proofreader, and then—we are off to the races!
Granted, I have been thinking this for quite a while at this point. It is a little funny; years ago I finished the first draft and thought, 'Ha, writing a book is so tough.' Little did I know, writing a book indeed isn’t that hard, but editing one is entirely a different story. So people say that if I plotted the book, it would be different, but really, I’m not entirely sure. Most of the issues with my story were not of plot, but rather of being intimate in the details of it. In any case, I think the book is fully fleshed out now, which is great.
I can’t wait for you all to finally see the end of Maleki’s tale (or perhaps just the beginning?) and follow his brutal, eye-opening journey. Get ready for a story about outcasts, cults, and more.
Thanks for sticking with me on this long journey. To celebrate the finishing line being in sight: What’s the one thing you can’t wait to read about Maleki and his world?
An Epic Journey into the Realms of Manetera: Unraveling the Secrets of Maleki
Ready for a fantasy adventure unlike any other? Immerse yourself in the rich world of Manetera with Maleki, the thrilling tale of one half-ogre’s quest to find his destiny and uncover a conspiracy that could change everything.
Maleki is more than a hero’s journey—it’s a search for truth. Our story begins with Maleki, a lonely half-ogre in the desert, who dreams of a mysterious glowing book. This isn’t just a dream, but a calling. He finds the book, and it sets him on a path to find the enigmatic being known as Dracena on the distant island of Dreskorn. What starts as a simple search for purpose becomes a perilous voyage that reveals a hidden conflict and a deep-seated conspiracy.
As Maleki travels across Manetera, he encounters a diverse cast of characters, including an eccentric imp and a powerful drow who challenge his understanding of the world. He discovers that the very identity he's been wrestling with—his heritage as a half-ogre—is a central part of a larger plan by a cult that wants to eradicate all non-humans. Maleki is not just a participant in this adventure; he is at the very heart of the conflict.
This book is perfect for readers who love a good mystery and are looking for a fantasy story that isn't afraid to ask big questions about identity, belonging, and the nature of truth. Follow Maleki as he navigates a world filled with danger and intrigue, and help him unravel the secrets of his past to secure a future for all.
The Realms of Manetera is a fantasy world created by Andrew Wright and Ricky Hirschi. The setting is a world on the brink of a major war, primarily involving a Drow-Ogre alliance and the kingdom of Ladenthreau. The books can be read in any order and explore themes of identity, purpose, and moral compromise through various perspectives.
The enigmatic figure or entity named Dracena appears to be a key element connecting several of the major storylines.
Book Summaries
1. Maleki
Protagonist:Maleki, a handsome, literate half-ogre who feels alienated by his desert tribe and is viewed as an "other."
Plot: The story begins when Maleki is called to adventure by a mysterious glowing book, which spurs him to leave his tribe and seek his destiny by finding the entity/being Dracena on the island of Dreskorn.
2. Jax
Protagonist:Jax, a conflicted mercenary haunted by the desert sun, who seeks a place in the cool, underground city of Claycall.
Plot: After being rejected by Claycall years ago, Jax joins a mercenary company led by the ruthless Turnus to raid the city. The mission's success is corrupted when Turnus brutally murders the city's unarmed mayor, triggering a profound moral crisis in Jax.
Journey to the Brotherhood: Seeking atonement or a new purpose, Jax abandons the mercenary life and joins the Brotherhood of Light.
3. Brotherhood of Light
Protagonist:Brundin, a new initiate to the prestigious Order of Light, plagued by anxiety and self-doubt about the huge responsibility placed upon him.
Plot: His training is suddenly cut short as a war breaks out, forcing him to rise to the challenge and battle orcish enemies.
Key Scene: He is first introduced at a tavern, where he is counseled and inspired by a gnome bard named Little Grey.
4. Vera
Protagonist:Vera, a skilled drow spy and member of the powerful Bourreaux organization.
Plot: Vera and her mentor, Dranor, go on a covert mission to infiltrate the human settlement of Bronzehelm. They use magic to disguise their drow appearance and track the activities of the cult of Dracena.
5. Mist Company: Part 1 The Making of a King
Protagonist:Dastan, a lieutenant in the Royal Guard of Ladenthreau.
Plot: Dastan must use his wit to repel an invasion from the Drow-Ogre alliance that threatens the kingdom, becoming the sole survivor of an attack on his outpost and accompanying a faerie maid on a quest.
Step into the gritty, unforgiving world of Jax, a novel that explores the true cost of ambition and the moral compromises made by a man seeking a place in the world. This is not a story of noble heroes and glorious battles, but of a conflicted mercenary and the dark path he walks.
Born and raised in the scorching desert, Jax has always dreamed of a better life in the elusive, underground city of Claycall. But when he was turned away years ago, his dream soured into a desire for vengeance. Now, as a mercenary, he gets his chance to enter the city, but it comes at a price. As part of a hired crew led by the ruthless Turnus, Jax participates in the raid on Claycall.
The mission is a "success," but the victory is hollow. The brutal actions of his leader, who kills an unarmed man, forces Jax to confront the reality of his life. The triumph he had always imagined feels tainted, and he is haunted by the violence he has witnessed and participated in.
But his journey doesn't end there. Plagued by nightmares and a gnawing sense of emptiness, Jax makes a life-altering decision: to abandon his mercenary life and join the Brotherhood of Light. He joins their army in an attempt to find a new purpose, a "good" cause to fight for, but he soon discovers that even this new path is not what it seems.
Jax is a powerful story about a man who wants to change his fate but is constantly pulled back into a world of violence and darkness. It is a compelling read that will make you question what it truly means to be a hero.
Are you ready to face your fears and find your place in a world at war? Step into the Realms of Manetera with Brotherhood of Light, an inspiring fantasy tale about finding courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
This book introduces Brundin, a young man who has just been initiated into the prestigious Order of Light, a renowned military organization. But as his journey begins, Brundin is not a confident hero; he's a young man plagued by anxiety and self-doubt. He feels the weight of his new responsibilities, knowing that his actions could determine the lives of countless people.
But the real test comes when war breaks out, forcing Brundin to cut his training short and join the fight against a menacing horde of orcish foes. It's a journey filled with camaraderie, as he forges new friendships and learns what it means to be a true knight.
Brotherhood of Light is more than just a battle-filled epic. It's a story about the personal struggles of a hero in the making. It shows that courage isn't the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it. Brundin’s journey will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they were in over their head, proving that even the lowest person on the ladder can rise to the challenge.
Join Brundin and his companions as they face their first trial by fire. Get ready for a tale of heroism, friendship, and the difficult path to becoming a knight.
A Fantasy for the Outcast: Discover Your Destiny in Maleki
Have you ever felt like you don't quite belong? Like you're an outsider in your own home? Then you'll find a kindred spirit in Maleki, the breakout fantasy novel that takes you on a journey of self-discovery, adventure, and fighting for your place in a world on the brink of war.
Meet Maleki, a handsome half-ogre who, despite his imposing stature, feels like an outcast among his tribe. More introspective and well-read than his peers, he's seen as an oddity—a half-breed only tolerated for his ability to navigate the human world. But when a mysterious glowing book appears in a prophetic dream, Maleki knows his destiny lies beyond the familiar sands of his desert home.
This isn't just a simple quest. Maleki is a story that explores what it means to find your true identity. Maleki’s journey to the island of Dreskorn to find the powerful being, Dracena, is filled with unexpected friendships, treacherous battles, and surprising revelations. Along the way, he'll forge alliances with drow and other creatures, proving that the greatest strength lies not in brute force, but in wit and heart.
Filled with action, magic, and a deeply relatable hero, Maleki is the perfect read for anyone who has ever felt like they didn't fit in. It's a tale of finding your purpose in a world that doesn't understand you, and discovering that your greatest perceived weakness might be your biggest strength.
