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Foundations Of Love And Trust
Beyond the Gloaming Pass follows the adventurous journey of an aspirant mage and a humble laborer as they navigate a mystical land and face imminent threats to their homeland. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted a classic narrative, reminiscent of some of the older fantasy works people know and love, but with some deliberate twists and deviations from common tropes. My goal was to create a world with the alluring opulence of high fantasy, yet grounded enough to feel relatable and inhabited. You rarely see mature characters with adult problems and adult relationships as the focal point in fantasy. I handed the reins of my story to two headstrong women with complex emotions and a lot of baggage accumulated over their lives, then let them drive the narrative.
The relationship between Molindra and Rubriel is unique. What were some driving ideals
behind your character’s development?
Examples of real-life friendships that transcend life stages and changing circumstances inspired me to dig deeper into the substance of a bond like that. There are people who come and go from your life as you grow up, move, change jobs, etc…but now and then–if you’re lucky–you meet someone whom you adopt as family. You’re so in sync with each other, that it feels like they’re part of you. That kind of relationship, while purely platonic, is exceptionally beautiful. I wanted to celebrate that beauty.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
As I mentioned earlier, the power of friendship is a big one, as well as the sense of inner truth that goes along with knowing someone so completely. The idea that if you strip away all external influences in a relationship, all motivations, all logic and reason, you’re left with this…purity; a shared truth built upon foundations of love and trust. It’s not easy to find, but if you are lucky enough to experience it, it stays with you forever.
The other concept, which is perhaps more subtle, but will persist throughout the Equilibria series, is the idea of balance in all things. There is a symmetry in Beyond the Gloaming Pass. The world exists on a spectrum, and straying too far in either direction causes people and systems to start to break down. This, in turn, leads to an understanding that people are more similar than they are different because everyone is trying to find balance on the same spectrum. The most good for the least harm, where every hero is someone else’s villain.
What can readers expect in book two of the Equilibria series?
Expect to see the aftermath of events in book one fully explored and have a profound impact on the world and characters. No one will get off lightly. Some minor characters from the first book will have a more central role, while others will see a temporary hiatus until they return to center stage later in the series. Beyond the Gloaming Pass raises a bunch of unanswered questions, which book two, Under an Emerald Sky, will slowly unravel.
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An unlicensed mage, Molindra struggles to contain her innate magical abilities, while Rubriel bounces from one job to the next after industrialization leaves her skillset redundant. When a contract from a wealthy merchant offers a hefty payout for a dangerous mission in a mysterious land, Molindra seizes the opportunity for a better life.
Cold, barren, and brutally efficient, the Gloaming Mountains conceal a powerful nation, where the sun never rises and the dead watch tirelessly – a nation determined to claim Bantria’s abundant natural resources for themselves. In the heart of Langlythe, Molindra receives the mage training she so desperately desires. In return, she must retrieve an ancient artifact buried deep in the frozen north. Fears for her safety at odds with festering resentment, Rubriel chases Molindra through inhospitable territory. The pair soon find themselves swept onto opposite sides of a bitter conflict that spirals rapidly out of control.
Separated and pushed to the limits of endurance, their journey will put the bonds of friendship to the ultimate test and challenge their perception of the world to its very core. Will they reunite and save Bantria from the growing threat, or become unwitting agents of its destruction?
Beyond the Gloaming Pass
“Beyond the Gloaming Pass,” penned by the promising author Rebecca Holmes, elegantly interweaves a grand narrative tapestry that is both imaginative and captivating. Set against the backdrop of the fantastical land of Tunswick, we follow the journey of our central characters – Molindra, an aspirant mage, and her close companion Rubriel, a humble laborer. As they venture forth from their humble beginnings in pursuit of greater ambitions, their destination is the daunting and austere landscape of the Gloaming Mountains. The narrative is further augmented by the impending threat over their homeland, Bantria, pushing our protagonists into the uncharted territories of courage and sacrifice.
Holmes expertly balances opulent world-building, reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, and Ursula K. Le Guin, with astute attention to character development. While the influences of these authors can be discerned, Holmes’ work never resorts to being a mere emulation. She has conjured a unique literary creation that possesses its own distinctive charm. The narrative is replete with hidden gems, ensuring a continuously unfolding sense of discovery for the reader.
The core theme of “Beyond the Gloaming Pass” finds resonance with classic narratives such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Wheel of Time” series. It grapples with the timeless question – can the bonds of friendship withstand the assault of external forces that seem insistent on rending them apart?
A distinguishing feature that sets “Beyond the Gloaming Pass” apart from comparable works in the genre is its focus away from the romantic aspect. This characteristic is not to be misconstrued as a deficiency. Rather, the protagonists, Molindra and Rubriel, manifest an intriguing independence and focus on their purpose, which is perhaps reflective of author Rebecca Holmes’ desire to navigate away from traditional romantic subplots. In an interesting divergence, it appears that our protagonists are primarily, if not exclusively, occupied with their mission, with little inclination towards seeking romantic or casual companionship. This introduces a fresh perspective and a distinct narrative path that is both commendable and intriguing.
With an engaging plot, meticulously crafted characters, and a compelling theme, Holmes’ novel provides an absorbing read that is sure to entertain. Anticipating further narratives set in the intriguing realm of Bantria from this author’s creative arsenal is not just a hope but an eagerly awaited pleasure.
Pages: 433 | ASIN: B0C93C4K7C
LITERARY TITAN 