The First Clearing
Published on 30. August 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
314 pages
979-8-231-15415-9 (ISBN)
Description
The old world is dying, choked by its own ambition. But for Seraphina "Sera" Cottage, a pragmatic architect with an unyielding vision, a new world beckons. Leading a small band of hopeful colonists, Sera arrives on an untamed continent, a land of sprawling forests, winding rivers, and vast, silent plains. Their mission: to build Havenfall, a new civilization from scratch.
The First Clearing plunges Sera and her people into an arduous struggle for survival. Every tree felled, every stone quarried, every shelter raised is a testament to their desperate will to live. They must master resource management, hunt for sustenance, and forge rudimentary tools, all while battling harsh weather and unfamiliar, often hostile, wildlife. Yet, amidst the raw wilderness, they uncover something unsettling: ancient, overgrown ruins that whisper of a forgotten, highly advanced civilization.
This isn't just a story of survival; it's a raw, visceral account of humanity's enduring spirit, the painstaking process of turning wilderness into a nascent home, and the first, unsettling discovery that they might not be the first to try.
More details
Series
Language
English
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
379 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-231-15415-9 (9798231154159)
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
Gregory Parrott is more than a writer; he embodies the very stories he's always yearned to read. Since his restless teenage years, he has crafted worlds where futuristic starships meet World War II battlefields, and ancient dragons exist alongside modern drones. By blending science fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, military sagas, and fantasy, he provides readers a captivating escape through time, space, and the complexities of the human experience.
Living in New England, Gregory's vibrant life in Massachusetts deeply influences his narratives. Growing up with rolling hills and rich history has shaped his creative sensibilities. Now, he balances his writing with family life, cheering for his kids at sporting events or brainstorming bedtime stories over a cluttered kitchen table filled with sketches of alien landscapes and battle maps.
Outside, Gregory finds solace in the rhythm of the water. Twice a week, he joins a veterans' crew in a dragon boat on the Connecticut River. This disciplined teamwork enhances the realism of his action scenes. After paddling, he retreats to his gaming den, diving into RPGs and tactical shooters, treating these sessions as studies in pacing, character motivation, and world-building.
Running also grounds him, especially in the vivid New England autumn. Every run clarifies his thoughts, with plot ideas emerging as his feet strike the pavement, creating a mental ledger of dialogue snippets, settings, and plot twists.
Discipline and imagination fuel Gregory's storytelling. His early fantasies, scribbled during math class, echo the same passion that drives his current work. Years spent with veteran military strategists have refined his craft, marrying meticulous research with boundless creativity. Each chapter invites readers to explore universes where rogue AIs lead rebellions, medieval knights find portals to the future, and ordinary people become extraordinary heroes in war.
His narratives resonate with the stories we all wish to hear, validating hidden dreams. With the precision of a seasoned tactician and the wonder of a child, Gregory offers a literary passport, transporting readers to extraordinary realms while reminding them that the magic of storytelling lies in the heart of the storyteller.