Sunday, December 07, 2008

What Readers are Saying about Harbinger of Doom by Glenn G. Thater

Back Cover blurb (summary of reader reviews below):
In Harbinger of Doom, Glenn G. Thater transports you to a time of legendary heroes, spectacular duels, courtly intrigue, otherworldly evils, and ancient forbidden magics. This first volume in an epic series is certain to delight fantasy fans everywhere. When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the very pits of hell, releasing demons of darkest nightmare upon the world, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus recruits Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn, mysterious knights of mystical power to stand with him against the tide of chaos that threatens to engulf the world and destroy mankind. Theta and Garn take up their swords one last time against the coming darkness - a darkness from which only one will emerge. But Claradon has bought far more than he’s bargained for, when his comrade Ob discovers the terrifying secret of Angle Theta. A secret so horrifying as to shatter a man's mind and call into question the very nature of good and evil.
Sample Reader Reviews:
--- Glenn Thater's "Harbinger of Doom", set in a world of men, gnomes, elves, and wizards, asks a tough question: what if we've got it all wrong? What if the God we follow turned bad, and the one we call the Devil is really a maligned angel on a quest to rid the world of evil? So goes Thater's tale, and he tells it in a voice as pretentious as Tolkein's. His world is called Midgaard, its capital called Lomion. Thater populates Midgaard with knights, a young-man-turned-king, a belligerent gnome, a couple scardey-cat wizards, Sir Gabriel, and Lord Angle Theta, the Harbinger of Doom. ...what fascinated me was the clever idea that Azathoth/Odin/God's heart turned black, and the one we know as the Bogeyman is really the one who is trying to save us. What a twist, and what an imagination!
--- Dennis Batchelder, Author of Soul Identity
(Reposted from Goodreads.com)
--- Storytelling is an ancient and sacred tradition, and as an avid reader and author, I recognize right away when an author has penned something truly great. Harbinger of Doom is such a story, and Glenn G. Thater is such an author. This is a fantasy novel about events, people, and places that are most ancient and highly colorful. Mr. Thater's writing style suits this time-honored genre to perfection. Harbinger of Doom is flawless storytelling about an ancient time where good people are threatened by an unspeakable evil. This is a time of brave knights, skilled wizards and sorcery, dark spells, and all manner of curious creatures. An evil so malevolent that it breaks all bounds of sanity befalls a good people. They must summon the courage and strength, and forge uneasy alliances to face a foe immensely terrifying and strong, one that is not of this world, and should they fail, all will truly be lost. There are scenes so frightening, I would caution younger readers, and after reading them, I thought twice about going to sleep right away. The story verily delivers the armies of hell and pulls no punches in describing the horror of war that must be waged between the forces of good and evil.
Harbinger of Doom is a tale of ancient myths and legends, and is populated by one of the most intriguing, diverse, interesting, and entertaining cast of characters in memory. Chief amongst these is the enigmatic and deeply mysterious Lord Angle Theta. This story is graced with sharp, clever, highly sophisticated writing peppered with humorous moments. Its scope is vast; its lessons eternal, and you will recognize parallels to many other well-known legends, even those biblical. To quote some excerpts from the story: "The stories of many religions oft have a common basis...there is some kernel of truth contained...Though the truth may be twisted by the tellers." Harbinger of Doom has all the hallmarks of such a story, it is as good as any fantasy tale you will read, it honors the tradition, and adds to our lore a story so good, so well told, I hope it will be remembered forever. In fact, if there came a day when all the great storytellers of the ages would be called to be seated at the same table, I would shout out that Glenn G. Thater be granted a place for this novel. Harbinger of Doom is fantasy most excellent and is a story for the ages...
-- Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- I'm not normally a fan of stories of knights and sorcery, but Harbinger of Doom blew me away. Glen G. Thater has an uncanny way of writing in an ancient prose that matches the period. His vivid description of all the characters allows the reader to vision them in their minds. The author paints each scene and battle so clearly that I felt I was in the middle of the action. Curious ideas were brought about regarding our present day thoughts of Good vs Evil as opposed to earlier days. I'm still in a trance attempting to unravel the mysterious revelations in the final pages. I will not give it away, so buy this book and decide for yourself. Do we have Good and Evil reversed?
--- Mike Monahan, Author of Barracuda
(Reposted from Amazon.com)
--- An amazing tale of swords, sorcerers, and more!...In the foreword, Thater has introduced the legend of Angle Theta. He is a character that has been cited in a number of ancient writings, and is the stuff legends are made of. ... Thater's writing has you in the heat of the battle, and leaves you wanting more of this epic story. ...[Angle Theta] reminds me a little of Moorcock's Lord Elric of Melnibone, who struggles with issues in the fight of good and evil. Cannot wait to read more of this saga from Glenn G. Thater. For those of us who love to read of demons and dragons, knights in armor and legends of long ago.
--- "Ellen in Atlanta", Amazon Top 500 Reviewer
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- …now I have something I can reread over and over again. Harbinger of Doom has just shattered everything I knew of the epic fantasy realm and created a sub genre all of its own. With a masterful craft of writing with sly wit you are pulled into an epic tale of dark portions. If you are like me, you will scream at the book, and several characters in certain parts as they become like kin folk. The characters own the pages, the story never disappoints, and thank God for this author! In addition, if you are a Brian Lumley fan, I would suggest you give this book a try. A must for fantasy fans!
--- "PoetryLover"
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- I find Mr. Thater's book, Harbinger of Doom, to be an excellent foray into dark story adventure, … good story, good action. Excellent flow of the story line to hold the attention. Overall very well done.
--- Jacamo Peterson, Author of "A Hard Place: A Sergeant's Tale"
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- At its core, Harbinger of Doom is a story of heroes and villains and explores the nature of good and evil, of religion and even politics. But this is no four color comic book world, it's a land where the good guys can die, and where it's not always clear who is the hero and who is the villain....
--- "P. Martucci"
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- This is a complex but highly entertaining swords and sorcery story, reminiscent of the pulp novels of Robert E. Howard, but with more depth and undercurrents to the plot. Thater's character `Lord Angle Theta' is an almost larger than life hero like Howard's Conan or Kull. And although he's perhaps their equal in brawn, he's far their better in brains. The other characters are all memorable and interesting, especially the grumpy gnome called Ob….
--- "Fantasy Fan"
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- Harbinger of Doom by Glenn Thater is what this genre of literature is all about!...I truly did not put the book down!
--- “Greg M.”
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- Who can resisit a good sword and sorcery book? Not me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Harbinger of Doom. It plunges you into a magic fog right at the start, and the action never stops! Fast-paced and exciting, it's a page turner. The characters are interesting folk. I loved the twist of the weak-kneed wizard, and the gnome was highly entertaining. I also smiled at the references a true sci-fi fan would appreciate. Clever nods to Dr. Who and Star Trek, to name but two! There are dark secrets and many mysteries in this tale of good vs. evil. I hope it continues!
--- “Susan Jane”
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- …It took me by surprise because I had never heard of this author and was blown away by how exciting this story and the characters were from the get go. I literally could not put this book down once I started reading it. ...It has all the adventure and excitement of the Star Wars Saga but set in a different world of endless time.
--- "Mythical Books Aficionado"
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- …Thater takes his fantasy and places it inside your brain. I wasn't reading a book, I was standing in the middle of the action, looking to pick up a sword and jump in…
--- "George T"
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

--- My New Favorite Book. Ok, that's saying a lot, but this book is just that good. The author doesn't just spit out a story here - he's crafted every line and word - there's a rhythm to the way it reads; both the exposition and the dialog. It draws you in; providing a more immersive experience than you'd expect in fantasy fiction. The depth of the world, and the complexity of the characters, and an underlying ambiguity as to who's really the hero and who's really the villain make this story a true standout. I liked it so much, I actually read it twice - and found that on the second read I picked up all sorts of subtleties and nuances that I'd missed on the first go round.
--- "Connie Brady"
(Reposted from Amazon.com)

Saturday, July 19, 2008

THE DEMON KING OF BERGHER

THE DEMON KING OF BERGHER
By
Glenn G. Thater


We never knew how it had gotten in. The drawbridge was up, the portcullis down, the guards all alert at their posts along the wall, the stout oak and ironbound door of the keep locked and barred securely for the night. The doors to our chambers were closed and locked and guarded by picked men as always and ever. The windows were secured against the night air. Yet this fiend from the depths gained entry through all with nary a sound and no call to alarm.

The Keeblear Horror

THE KEEBLEAR HORROR
by
Glenn G. Thater



I crept in undetected. Trained by an old master in the arts of combat, stealth and tracking, I was the one man in the village who could enter unseen here and do what must be done. My heart was racing, the blood pounding in my ears. One false move, one kicked stone or a single crunched leaf and they’d hear me and I’d be done for. The foul demon spawn would be on me in an instant - rending and tearing with their vile unholy claws. No man deserves such a death, especially not an honest and god-fearing man as me. But I have to do this thing. I have to protect my village.

THE GREAT ANT INVASION

THE GREAT ANT INVASION
by
GLENN G. THATER



They came in waves -hundreds of craven soldiers marching fearlessly into enemy territory - my territory, my castle. They knew as they crossed the border there would be war - that no quarter would be given or received, but on they came, intent on destruction - intent on conquest.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

The exciting Second Print Edition of HARBINGER OF DOOM by Glenn G. Thater is now available for purchase from Amazon.com. Harbinger of Doom collects the first two stories (The Gateway and The Fallen Angle) of Thater’s groundbreaking series Harbinger of Doom into a single volume. The Second Print Edition of Harbinger of Doom, in trade paperback format, features fantastic new cover art, and a valuable Appendix and pronunciation guide listing and organizing the names and relationships of all of the major and most of the minor characters that appear in the book.

HARBINGER OF DOOM

In Harbinger of Doom, Glenn G. Thater transports you to a time of legendary heroes, spectacular duels, courtly intrigue, otherworldly evils, and ancient forbidden magics. This first volume in an epic series is certain to delight fantasy fans everywhere. When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the very pits of hell, releasing demons of darkest nightmare upon the world, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus recruits Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn, mysterious knights of mystical power to stand with him against the tide of chaos that threatens to engulf the world and destroy mankind. Theta and Garn take up their swords one last time against the coming darkness - a darkness from which only one will emerge. But Claradon has bought far more than he’s bargained for, when his comrade Ob discovers the terrifying secret of Angle Theta. A secret so horrifying as to shatter a man's mind and call into question the very nature of good and evil.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

THE FALLEN ANGLE by Glenn G. Thater is now available for purchase in Kindle and eBook formats from Amazon.com and many leading eBook retailers. The Fallen Angle is the second story in Thater's Harbinger of Doom series and for the first time is now available as a stand-alone digital book. Previously, The Fallen Angle was published along with the first story in the series, The Gateway, in the trade paperback book Harbinger of Doom. This new version of The Fallen Angle features fantastic new cover art, an Appendix and pronunciation guide listing and organizing the names and relationships of all of the major and most of the minor characters that appear in the book.
THE FALLEN ANGLE

In The Fallen Angle, Glenn G. Thater transports you to a time of legendary heroes, armored knights, spectacular duels, courtly intrigue, otherworldly evils, and ancient forbidden magics. Though it can be read as a stand alone tale, The Fallen Angle is the second story in Thater's Harbinger of Doom series and picks up shortly after the events chronicled in The Gateway. Claradon, the young Lord of House Eotrus stands accused of murder and treason by his family’s political rivals while on the trail of the chaos lord that slew those dearest to him. Claradon has recruited the mysterious knight of mystical power called Angle Theta to aid him is his quest. But Claradon has bought far more than he’s bargained for, when his comrade Ob discovers the terrifying secret of Angle Theta. A secret so horrifying as to shatter a man’s mind and call into question the very nature of good and evil.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

HARBINGER OF DOOM by Glenn G. Thater is now available for purchase in Kindle and eBook formats from Amazon.com and many leading eBook retailers. Harbinger of Doom collects the first two stories (The Gateway and The Fallen Angle) of Thater’s groundbreaking series Harbinger of Doom into a single volume. This digital version of Harbinger of Doom features fantastic new cover art.

HARBINGER OF DOOM

In Harbinger of Doom, Glenn G. Thater transports you to a time of legendary heroes, spectacular duels, courtly intrigue, otherworldly evils, and ancient forbidden magics. This first volume in an epic series is certain to delight fantasy fans everywhere. When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the very pits of hell, releasing demons of darkest nightmare upon the world, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus recruits Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn, mysterious knights of mystical power to stand with him against the tide of chaos that threatens to engulf the world and destroy mankind. Theta and Garn take up their swords one last time against the coming darkness - a darkness from which only one will emerge. But Claradon has bought far more than he’s bargained for, when his comrade Ob discovers the terrifying secret of Angle Theta. A secret so horrifying as to shatter a man's mind and call into question the very nature of good and evil.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

THE GATEWAY by Glenn G. Thater now available in Kindle and eBook formats

THE GATEWAY by Glenn G. Thater is now available for purchase in Kindle and eBook formats from Amazon.com and many leading eBook retailers. The Gateway is the first story in Thater's Harbinger of Doom series and for the first time is now available as a stand-alone digital book. Previously, The Gateway was published along with its sequel, The Fallen Angle in the trade paperback book Harbinger of Doom. This new version of The Gateway features fantastic new cover art, an Appendix and pronunciation guide listing and organizing the names and relationships of all of the major and most of the minor characters that appear in the book.

THE GATEWAY

When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the very pits of hell, releasing outré demons of darkest nightmare upon the world, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus takes up the mantle of his noble house to avenge his father and hold back the tide of chaos that threatens to engulf the world and destroy mankind. Claradon recruits Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn, mysterious knights of mystical power to stand with him. Theta and Garn take up their swords one last time against the coming darkness - a darkness from which only one will emerge.
Author's Note:I
Mr. Thater's books can be purchased from Amazon.com. Mr. Thater's Amazon.com profile page, which includes a complete listing of his books can be accessed here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AJWXN33RB5VA1

If you're outside the United States or you can't purchase from Amazon.com, you can purchase Mr. Thater's Trade Paperback books directly from the Publisher using these links:

Harbinger of Doom (1st Edition):
http://www.createspace.com/3334712

Harbinger of Doom (2nd Edition):
http://www.createspace.com/3342167

Monday, March 24, 2008

Sequel to 'Harbinger of Doom'

SEQUEL TO HARBINGER OF DOOM

I'd like to thank those who've purchased Harbinger of Doom: Featuring the Gateway, and especially those kind enough to have posted favorable reviews on Amazon.com. Due to your support, over the last weeks Harbinger of Doom climbed to as high as the #4 bestselling book in the 'Swords and Sorcery' rankings and #9 bestselling in the 'heroic fantasy' rankings on Amazon.com.

Many folks have inquired as to whether there will be a sequel and when it will come out. The answer is yes - a second book is in the works, and it will likely be published later this year. Additional books are in the planning stages. Please feel free to leave comments and questions in the comments box below this post. I'm always interested in hearing about your ideas for future stories and comments on what characters you like or don't and why.

Harbinger of Doom is currently available for purchase from amazon.com, target.com, and borders.com. It has been showing up recently in various lists of best/most popular heroic fantasy books, epic fantasy, dark fantasy, horror, action/adventure, and sci-fi. As such it's been going head to head with such popular books as 'His Dark Materials Trilogy' by Philip Pullman http://www.amazon.com/Materials-Trilogy-Golden-Compass-Spyglass/dp/0440238609, White Night by Jim Butcher http://www.amazon.com/White-Night-Dresden-Files-Book/dp/045146155X, New Moon by Stephenie Meyer http://www.amazon.com/New-Moon-Twilight-Saga-Book/dp/0316024961, and Brisingr by Christopher Paolini http://www.amazon.com/Brisingr-Inheritance-Book-Christopher-Paolini/dp/0375826726

--- Glenn G. Thater, Author of 'Harbinger of Doom'.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

When Will They Come for My Factor Gear?

WHEN WILL THEY COME FOR MY FACTOR GEAR?
By Glenn G. Thater, Author of ‘Harbinger of Doom’

I sit in my beloved library at 34,
Reading forbidden books behind locked door,
I guard here the tomes I’m not supposed to read,
A shelf full of Rush, and North whose views I must not heed,
The old Pat Buchanan’s, the Hannity’s, the Newts,
My dog-eared O’Reillys, and the Coulters so dear,
Should I turn down the light, should I read here in fear?
I know soon they’ll come for my Factor Gear,

Their revolution is here whether we like it or not,
It seems that they beat us without firing a shot.
Their insidious tactics took us unaware,
Shredding our once proud culture bare,

In a few short decades they’ve laid us to waste,
Their crimes too long for any reasonable space,
We called them the lefties, the liberals, the elites,
Now they’ve become the dreaded thought police,

Already they dictate how we may speak,
They steer what we read,
And tell us what to think,

They’ve rewritten our history and destroyed our heroes,
Replacing them with various lefty zeroes,
They still have a warm spot for old Uncle Joe,
Will they never learn our friends from our foes?

What year will it be when they crash through my door,
To fire my books and throw me to the floor?
When will it be that they’re finally here,
When will they come for my Factor Gear?

Long is the list of the evils they claim,
Longer still the list of our heroes whose names they’ve defamed,

Now they tell us that Columbus and Washington and old Hickory were devils,
Endless charges of intolerance and insensitivity do they level,

They tell us we’re stupid or loony or both,
Who else would ever cast a republican vote?

A culture of apology and confession,
Our begging forgiveness their daily obsession.

Their mantras - diversity and political correctness,
That’s the dogma of the fair-minded friendly leftists.

The day’s long since here that we can’t speak our minds,
They’ve rewritten the dictionary and laid it with mines
How long until Fox is thrown off the air?
Can’t I speak how I like, why isn’t that fair?

How old will I be when they break through my door,
To burn my books and toss me to the floor?
My seventies? My sixties? Could it happen that soon?
Could it happen in my forties, or tomorrow at noon?

They’ll take my worn volumes of Rush and old Pat Buchanan,
They’ll shred my Hannity’s, and my O’Reilly’s and my Coulter’s so dear,
Will they leave me a single piece of my Factor Gear?

Saturday, February 16, 2008

'Harbinger of Doom' First Trade Paperback Edition Now Available for Purchase

HARBINGER OF DOOM

Harbinger of Doom collects the first two stories (The Gateway and The Fallen Angle) of Glenn G. Thater’s groundbreaking series Harbinger of Doom into a single volume.

In Harbinger of Doom, Glenn G. Thater transports you to a time of legendary heroes, spectacular duels, courtly intrigue, otherworldly evils, and ancient forbidden magics. This first volume in an epic series is certain to delight fantasy fans everywhere. When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the very pits of hell, releasing demons of darkest nightmare upon the world, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus recruits Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn, mysterious knights of mystical power to stand with him against the tide of chaos that threatens to engulf the world and destroy mankind. Theta and Garn take up their swords one last time against the coming darkness - a darkness from which only one will emerge. But Claradon has bought far more than he’s bargained for, when his comrade Ob discovers the terrifying secret of Angle Theta. A secret so horrifying as to shatter a man's mind and call into question the very nature of good and evil.


Author's Note:
Mr. Thater's books can be purchased from Amazon.com. Mr. Thater's Amazon.com profile page, which includes a complete listing of his books can be accessed here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AJWXN33RB5VA1

If you're outside the United States and can't purchase from Amazon.com (or if you just prefer not to purchase from Amazon), you can purchase Mr. Thater's Trade Paperback books directly from the Publisher using these links:

Harbinger of Doom (1st Edition):
http://www.createspace.com/3334712

Harbinger of Doom (2nd Edition):
http://www.createspace.com/3342167

Sunday, February 10, 2008

THE GATEWAY (HARBINGER OF DOOM - BOOK 1)

THE GATEWAY
by
Glenn G. Thater
2005


Ye wilt not thwart us again, harbinger of doom! We shall have this world this time.
What once was ours will be ours again!”

- The Chaos Lord Bhaal to The Lord Angle Theta.

A grayed Lord and his lieutenants stood at the fore of a small wedge of armored soldiers, veterans all. Malignant, clinging mist wafted about, sickening the men and clouding their vision. With the mist came a thunderous cacophony that consumed the night, piercing the very souls of those unfortunates within its demesne. A maleficent, skirling, bestial sound, akin to naught in nature and much in nightmare. A preternatural wailing it was, and in its wake bounded death.
“All hell’s fallen on them,” said Lord Eotrus.
Par Talbon made to move forward, but the old knight’s hand darted out and held him fast.
“We hold our ground,” said Lord Eotrus gripping the small man’s shoulder tightly. “We cannot advance in this mist and you can’t turn it all. Stern’s fate is in Odin’s hands now.” Staring into the mist he drew forth his sword from its ornate scabbard and raised the steel blade to his face - a salute from olden times - then lowered it again, though he kept it at the ready. “As is ours,” he said. “Our path is clear.”
“What’s out there Aradon?” said Brother Donnelin. “What are we facing?” “Nothing of Midgaard, my good priest,” said Lord Eotrus. “Nothing of this world.”
The wailing grew ever louder. A deep rumbling sound began and quickly intensified. Soon, the very earth itself began to shake and shudder. Archers closed ranks before their lord and his lieutenants. Swordsman and pikemen stood at the ready, eyes wide but feet planted. Several cloaked men with staffs matching his flanked Talbon.
Lord Eotrus’s gaze drifted upward to the midnight sky. “The Valkyries gather. Soon they’ll carry us home.” More quietly then, “I thought I’d have more time. Thank Odin at least the boys aren’t here.”
Donnelin and Talbon exchanged worried glances as they stood protectively about their lord.
“Here they come!”
“I still can’t see them,” said Donnelin. “Damned mist.”
“Keep your formation men!” said Lord Eotrus. “Talbon! Dispel the mist! Now!”
At his liege’s command, the sorcerer uttered forgotten words of eldritch power; secret words lost to all but the chosen few. The ancient sorcery he called up crushed the unnatural mist back against the night, though the darkness lingered beyond the limits of the soldiers’ torchlight.
Lord Eotrus’s face grew ashen and his eyes wide as the horror thundering down upon them came into view. A war cry burst from his throat and he charged forward to meet his fate. A few of the bravest soldiers followed him, but most dropped their weapons or froze in a panic. Not one even bothered to try to flee.

***
If this story has caught your attention and you'd like to read more, the complete version of "The Gateway is included in the book "Harbinger of Doom" by Glenn G. Thater. "Harbinger of Doom" is available for purchase on Amazon.com beginning in February 2008. Please feel free to leave comments below by clicking on the 'comment' button.