The Scales of Balance, Book 1
Epic Fantasy
Date Published: October 24, 2023
Publisher: First Torch Books
Narrator: Landon Soelberg
Run Time: 16 hours, 6 minutes
"Arena-set action sequences shine ... but even more impressive is the constant political maneuvering, as characters mingle with enemies while plotting against them. There is, of course, plenty of mystery, and Facciola amps up excitement with signs of magic, appearances from gods, and betrayals."
— Kirkus Reviews
"A captivating fantasy with strong characters and even stronger combat scenes ... It is difficult to overstate the storytelling prowess of author Tim Facciola."
— Independent Book Review
Peace bought by blood seldom lasts, for vengeance knows no end. The same is true for mortals and gods alike. Decades, centuries, and even eras may pass, but the cycle remains. As war and revolution rise again, Zephyrus finds himself at the center of it all. Chosen by the gods, hailed as a prophet of liberation, and forged as a weapon to break the kingdom and restore balance to the realm, hope rests squarely on his shoulders.
If only he could remember....
Enslaved as a gladiator and thrust into a prince’s game of espionage, Zephyrus has only two clues to help unlock his shattered past: a prophecy foretelling destruction, and a letter to the enemy king, promising peace. Now Zephyrus must survive the dangers of the gladiatorial arena, the cunning fury of the prince’s enemies, and the gods’ torment if he is to find the truth of his identity and fulfill his fate. But to have any hope of breaking the cycle, first he must secure his freedom—and not just from his slavers.
Within this vengeful realm, a queen protecting her kingdom, a prince defending his father, and a gladiator slave haunted by a prophecy each contend for their own brand of freedom. But the gods have an agenda of their own, and they'll use any vessel—patrician, plebeian, or slave—to see it done.
The scales must be balanced. By peace. Or by blood.
Is There a Message in Your Novel That You
Want Readers to Grasp?
I
like to think there are a lot of messages within A Vengeful Realm. I was very
intentional with each character arc and interpersonal relationship they had as
well as the larger-reaching societal issues that their journeys raise and
explore. I hope there is something for everyone and it hits them how they need
in that particular season of their lives, but overall, the main takeaway is
that few things in this world are actually black and white. There are infinite
shades of gray, and that can be applied to just about any subject or
circumstance. It’s my hope that this story challenges readers to think
critically and challenge their own preconceived notions.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in
your writing?
Writing
requires patience. Patience is a virtue and writing will teach you over and
over again at every stage of the process how necessary it is. Patience in
learning the craft, patience in nurturing ideas, patience in putting it on
paper, patience in the editing process, patience in the querying/marketing
process, patience in the publishing process. For someone who wanted it done
yesterday, the greatest challenge of writing for me has been learning to
practice that patience.
How many books have you written and which is your
favorite?
I’ve
now written four novels, the three in the A
Vengeful Realm trilogy, and Ghosts of
Rheynia (hopefully to release in Q4 ‘24 or Q1 ‘25). They all hold a special
place in my heart for different reasons, but if I had to pick one of the four,
I would say book 3 of the trilogy, The
Age of the End. I think there is nothing quite as special as a fulfilling
ending, and the conclusion certainly makes me happy.
If You had the chance to cast your main character
from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
This is a bit of a cop out, but I
wouldn’t want it to be anyone that I know or anyone that I’ve seen in anything
before. This would allow that actor/actress to step into that role and be that
character without any other preconceived notions. Also, if they’re creating a
film adaptation of my trilogy, I would love for the cast to share somewhat in
my first-time giddiness.
When did you begin writing?
I started writing in 2012. I had
just graduated college a semester early. All my friends were still in school
and I was working in NYC as a personal trainer. I worked, worked out, ate,
slept, and wrote. They were simple if not easy times, but I wouldn’t want to go
back and do it again!
How long did it take to complete your first book?
That
depends entirely on what you mean by complete. The first draft of the first
book was 977 pages 12pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced. That took me about
two-and-a-half years to write. I sent it off to a developmental editor (Chersti
Nieveen), and she began teaching me story structure and how to actually craft a
novel. It took me another two-ish years in re-writes and edits before I started
querying it to agents and publishers. By that point I would say it was
“completed” but not quite finished. Book 1 wasn’t finished until I
finished the second and third books, because at that point, I knew exactly what
subliminal promises book 1 needed to make to create the cathartic conclusion I
wanted.
Did you have an author who inspired you to become a
writer?
I wouldn’t say any inspired me to
become a writer, but there were several who influenced (and still do) my
development and provided aspirational footsteps to follow behind. Favorites
like Brandon Sanderson for his exceptional magic systems and uplifting themes,
George RR Martin for his complex political machinations and immersive worlds,
and Joe Abercrombie for his brilliant characterization continue to inspire me.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
I love the planning phases.
World-building, character dossiers, map-making, magic system development,
character arcs, plot outlines, thematic through-lines—I love seeing the big
picture and all of its potential.
Describe your latest book in 4 words.
Because of the rapid release of the
A Vengeful Realm trilogy, I’ll give
four words for the series as a whole, and one extra joke word: Gritty,
emotional, thought-provoking, and hopeful. And lastly, the joke word for fans
of GRRM and Patrick Rothfuss… “finished.”
Can you share a little bit about your current work or what
is in the future for your writing?
Ghosts of Rheynia, an accompanying novel that can serve as either a standalone story or
as a prequel to the trilogy, is currently in the editing process. It follows
Threyna, a primary viewpoint character of the trilogy and her first encounter
with the Skeleton King. Written so that they can be enjoyed separate from each
other or in any order, I hope for fans of the trilogy, it gives them another
opportunity to spend more time in the world. And for new readers, I hope it
serves as a shorter commitment gateway into my storytelling.
About the Author
When Tim isn’t writing epic fantasy, he can often be found in his garage-gym or in the mountains where he lives. A virtual fitness professional by trade, he integrates his creative passions into movement, training with maces, clubs, staves, and swords to unlock his inner gladiator. More than writing, reading, gaming, playing music, hiking, and paddle-boarding, Tim loves story. If he’s not working on his own story, he’s helping others develop theirs as an author coach. Living in Arizona with his wife, Colleen, Tim continues writing epic fantasy novels while exploring different storytelling mediums so he can inspire others to hope. To live. And to believe.
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