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The History of Mankind
Desert Guardian follows a young man on a post-graduation trip, who literally falls into a hidden world of illegal artifacts, danger, and unexpected friendships. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The grandeur and other-worldly feel of the gorges, rivers, and hoodoos of Canyonlands National Park provided the inspiration for the set-up of this story.
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
Ethan is a “reluctant hero,” dropped into the setting by accident, so one of his main themes was finding the strength to persevere, uncover the theft of ancient artifacts, and fight not only for his own survival but for that of newfound friends.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Our relationships with the earth, wilderness, and the history of mankind are themes in the novel. The thieves see the artifacts not as precious history but as something to be exploited. Relic, and eventually Ethan, see their connections with the past and the place that shaped it and work to protect them.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a total of six Relic novels and am working on the seventh. It is not likely to be ready for another year or so.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Get ready for an epic adventurous thrill ride into danger and murder
A moonshining hermit. A campus bookworm. A midnight murder. Can an unlikely duo and a whitewater crew save themselves and an ancient Aztec battlefield from deadly looters? Ethan’s world turns upside-down when he slips off the edge of red-rock cliffs into a world of twisting ravines and coveted artifacts. Saved by a mysterious desert recluse named Relic, Ethan must join a whitewater rafting group and make his way back to civilization. But someone in the gorge is killing to protect their illegal dig for ancient treasures… When Anya, the lead whitewater guide, is attacked, he must divert the killer into the dark canyon night, but his most deadly pursuer is not who he thinks… Ethan struggles to save his new friends, face his own mortality, and unravel the chilling murders. But when they flee the secluded canyon, a lethal hunter is hot on their trail…
Desert Guardian
Desert Guardian by A.W. Baldwin is an action-packed adventure set against the vast and rugged backdrop of the American Southwest. The story intertwines past and present, starting with a flashback to a Pueblo ambush on Mexica warriors in 1224 A.D. This historic tension sets the stage for the modern-day narrative, where Ethan, a young man on a post-graduation trip, literally falls into a hidden world of illegal artifacts, danger, and unexpected friendships. After surviving a bike accident, Ethan is saved by Relic, a desert hermit, and the two forge an unlikely bond as they navigate the harsh desert and the shady underworld of artifact smugglers.
The author perfectly captures the wild beauty of the desert, making it a character in its own right. The descriptions are vivid. Baldwin writes with a clear reverence for the setting, and that love of the environment adds depth to the story’s more intense moments. The setting is well-crafted, but the dialogue and character development, at times, feel less polished. Ethan’s internal monologues occasionally lean toward melodrama, particularly when he reflects on his near-death experience, which may momentarily disrupt the immersion. Relic’s gruff yet wise personality shines through, especially in moments where he imparts desert survival tips or shares cryptic advice.
The pacing of the novel is generally quick, with moments of introspection balanced by bursts of action. The scenes involving the artifact smuggling ring are tense and engaging, especially as the reader starts to unravel how deep the conspiracy goes. Boss, the antagonist, is suitably ruthless, and his cold demeanor makes for a chilling counterbalance to the more humane characters like Relic and Ethan. The subplot involving ancient Pueblo petroglyphs and hidden trails gives the novel an air of intrigue that kept me flipping pages, wondering how all the pieces would connect.
Desert Guardian is an entertaining adventure novel for those who enjoy thrillers with a historical twist and a strong sense of place. Baldwin’s love for the desert landscape shines through, and the fast-paced plot will appeal to adventure lovers. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about survival, hidden treasures, and characters who live by their own rules in the unforgiving wilderness.
Pages: 209 | ASIN : B08MB6XL8S
