The Living Light
from Gods to Ashes
Will be published approx. on 15. August 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
486 pages
978-0-646-72328-0 (ISBN)
Description
"THE LIVING LIGHT: FROM GODS TO ASHES by Taliesin J. De Launey blends mythic and mystic elements of several cultures in a landscape of stark and unexpected contrasts, to fashion a marvelous tale of high fantasy set in The Outlands, a magical landscape inhabited by some of the most intriguing and entertaining rogues I've ever come across. It's a potent brew that had me alternately shivering in cosmic terror, breathless in anticipation of the next twist, and overcome by gales of laughter."
-Stefan Rudnicki, Grammy Award-winning narrator known for Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game and the works of Robert Silverberg, whose voice brings The Living Light to life.
Brand, a jaded, fast-talking ex-thief with a shaky moral compass and a total disbelief in magic, and his unlikely companions embark on a fast-paced, bizarre, humorous, and at times terrifying adventure through an immersive yet decadent fantasy world set 2.5 million years ago on Earth.
Said companions include: Cil, a female gladiator, equally rugged, beautiful, and cantankerous; Berengar, a gigantic northerner, equal parts lighthearted, ridiculous, murderous, and profound; and Alucard, a two-foot-tall fish-man magical experiment, who happens to be the only one able to master the art of magic.
The Living Light: From Gods to Ashes is full of immoral, quirky humans; innocent yet deadly monsters; and a rigid magical system with a dark moral flaw at its core. A blend of dark fantasy adventure, absurdist humor, cosmic mystery, and sword-swinging action, listeners will be engrossed in realistic and enjoyable small-talk moments weaved into a grand, world-building tapestry.
For more info on the audiobook format produced by Grammy Award winning narrator Stefan Rudniki go to: https://www.downpour.com/the-living-light-from-god-s-to-ashes?sp=1193838
More details
Series
Edition
First Print ed.
Language
English
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
782 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-646-72328-0 (9780646723280)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Taliesin J. De Launey is an indigenous-Australian writer of epic and dark fantasy, known for weaving together wild adventure, deep lore, and emotional resonance. Born in 1991 in Lismore, New South Wales, he is the son of a Wiradjuri-Croatian mother and a Scottish-English father. Raised in a turbulent household, Taliesin found early refuge in books and video games. It was his grandmother-his first teacher-who taught him to read and sparked his lifelong passion for storytelling.Though his formal education was often disrupted, Taliesin completed high school in 2008 and has since cultivated a self-directed education in literature, philosophy, and writing. He draws creative influence from classic and modern fantasy greats, including Jack Vance, Robert E. Howard, Roger Zelazny, Andrzej Sapkowski, Brandon Sanderson, and J.K. Rowling.Now based in New York City, Taliesin volunteers in high-risk communities, supporting anti-violence, addiction recovery, and literacy programs. His professional background includes over eight years in copywriting and marketing, helping generate thousands of book sales and millions in charitable donations for social causes.Taliesin is best known for his debut fantasy novel, The Living Light: From Gods to Ashes, brought to life in audiobook form by Grammy Award-winning narrator and producer Stefan Rudnicki. He is also the author of Darkmaw: Grim Fantasy, a serialized short story collection available on Substack and Amazon.At heart, Taliesin is a storyteller obsessed with that electric moment of discovery-the kind you felt the first time you knew you were a fantasy lover. He writes to chase that feeling, to share it, and to keep the adventure going.Connect with Taliesin and discover more of his work on Substack at Fantasy Stories, Comedy and Horror by Alucard.