Makings of a Monster (Legacy of Wrath Book 1)

Baldur’s Gate meets Paradise Lost in this deeply emotional work of literary fantasy. Perfect for fans of... uh, is Machbet a good comp title for a fantasy novel?Velimir escaped the mass murder of children. He survived in the cold streets of Oligorsk by his will, fury and the frightening yet alluring presence of his dreams.When his cunning catches the eye of a prominent citizen, he gets adopted into better prospects at life. Yet all is not as good as it seems. The man Velimir calls “father” is cruel and demands absolute obedience from his family.Velimir grows into a peerless warrior and a man every bit as furious as the defiant urchin in the streets. His celestial blood beckons beyond mortality. But can love survive in a heart caged with steel, cast in a merciless world? Stakes are high as blood calls to blood and children of wrathful divine blood clash.This novel stands at the intersection of classical Shakespearean tragedy, dark fantasy, mythological epic, and psychological realism. It draws on the tragic hero archetype while also engaging with the modern fantasy tradition of morally ambiguous characters and bleak, complex worlds. Its themes of power, betrayal, and inner conflict connect it to a broad spectrum of literature, from Greek tragedy to modern grimdark fantasy."Vulnerability, commitment, and love and hate entwine in a tale that libraries will find packed with depth and wonder. It will be easy to highly recommend Makings of a Monster to book clubs and discussion groups seeking fantasy that offers far more depth and insights than most. Readers seeking a combination of classic psychological and philosophical reflections about the ultimate impact of violence on a child's life, choices, and growth process will find Makings of a Monster utterly compelling and nearly impossible to put down."- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

powered by psychological quandaries and questions, it's fast-paced and hard to set aside:   The man was preoccupied, hardly paying attention to his family, or to Kiril. Great plans. More power. Something like that. At times Kiril wondered if such things were important after all. If the only thing living a good life would take would be living as a family, with Jelena as wife and Velimir as their child, and just trying his best. His best at what? He wondered. Oh, and they'd have to kill Radek. Yeah, great plan. Velimir's darkness would not go away just by pretending that it wasn't there. He had to find out. They had to discover the truth.   Vulnerability, commitment, and love and hate entwine in a tale that libraries will find packed with depth and wonder. It will be easy to highly recommend Makings of a Monster to book clubs and discussion groups seeking fantasy that offers far more depth and insights than most.   Readers seeking a combination of classic psychological and philosophical reflections about the ultimate impact of violence on a child's life, choices, and growth process will find Makings of a Monster utterly compelling and nearly impossible to put down. D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Makings of a Monster blends fantasy with gripping psychological discovery. It follows the life of Velimir, who has survived the mass murder of children, but relives the nightmare in his dreams.   This first book in the Legacy of Wrath series sets the stage for the makings of a rebellious survivor powered by lethal forces from childhood. These influence his psyche as he grows into a dangerous warrior himself.   At the heart of this exploration is a question readers will be challenged to define: is Velimer a hero, or a monster?   At this juncture, it's appropriate to point out that the story's growth process and dichotomy may impact sensitive readers. Stark descriptions of surviving childhood horrors are hard-hitting and thought-provoking from the start:   When he stirs in his sleep and wakes up, panting, pale and sweating, he has an odd wish. He would like two soft, warm and comforting arms to protect him. But he merely clutches his knees and comforts himself with a rocking motion. He has long since ceased crying when he awakes in pain, or frightened. No one will ever come.   Charlie Freelander creates masterful connections between reader and characters in a way that encourages understanding and connection to the characters' evolutionary process. She also sets action on the stage of literary, philosophical and mythological references to reinforce the psychological components of the story. The energy embedded into the tale from these facets will especially intrigue and attract literary readers who will readily understand the references and techniques Freelander employs.   As for the action

About the Author

Charlie Freelander is an adventurer, gamer, and author of The Legacy of Wrath series. She spends her time volunteering at ships around the world, daydreaming about being an action hero, and boldly sharing the magic of her own inner-world through fiction. Charlie's passion for fantasy video games started at a young age and inspired her deep love of worldbuilding and her insights about the struggle between good and evil. When she's not working on her next books, you can find her curled up with her dogs, reading about the gritty yet poetic anti-heroes who inspire her.​ --This text refers to the paperback edition.

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