Within by Peter Gribble [Tour with Excerpt]

Purdu, the barbarian invader, has arrived!

Welcome to one of the August 5th stops on the blog tour for Within by Peter Gribble with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

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About the Book

Within
by Peter Gribble

Published 30 January 2022
Tellwell Talent

Genre: Fantasy
Page Count: 713
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

Purdu, the barbarian invader, has arrived! How can the pacifist, nonviolent City of the Magicians contain him when one faction appeals to his heart, the other to his ambitions?

Sas and Lalya are envoys of opposing camps, but Purdu throws them together to isolate them from their enclaves and assert his own authority. Yet two others decide to oppose him their way. Hyur, foremost metallurgist, secretly forges a magical weapon to tempt and subvert him. Gleswea, an astronomer, flees south to view skies she has never seen, but is swept into a culture that judges women of ability as necromancing witches deserving death.

Shoan, City strategist, reconstructing his wrecked plans, is unaware these four have slipped his calculations. Sas, Lalya, Hyur and Gleswea are unknowingly inching the City toward an unseen, perilous fate. Will anyone catch it in time?

Within, the second book in The City of the Magicians series, exposes how even as the City’s old dream of a rebirth in Magic seems to be happening, traditional institutions are failing. With Purdu spearheading the revival, some Citizens fear the purposes their Magic may soon be turned to.

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | B&N | Chapters Indigo

Praise for Threat, the first book in The City of the Magicians series.

“An exquisitely crafted, richly textured world of magic and mystery, with settings and mood so exceptionally well visualized that fans of science fiction and fantasy should not pass up the chance to walk inside.” – IndieReader

“Apart from the beautiful writing, the robustly written characters, and the strong setting, Peter Gribble has the ability to immerse readers in a world that is well-imagined and sculpted. Having enjoyed Threat immensely, I am looking forward to the next installment in the series.” – Readers’ Favorite

Excerpt

The weather turned cold as predicted, and over a few days the water receded with surprising speed, leaving behind thick, muddy silt. All senior officers, division commanders and selected guardsmen were invited into the City and billeted into Upper Ridge Houses. A small concession to the dictates of the City: only Purdu was allowed to ride his horse in the inner City with a remover permanently appointed to follow behind and clean up when need arose. There was a short discussion about wearing weapons. While the officers were at once conciliatory, Purdu balked.

Shoan retorted with now habitual scorn, “Surely a god, safe in a walled and sacred City, renowned for its healing peace and mercy, should not need irrelevant, profane objects such as weapons!” It was an anemic pleasure having Purdu abashed and conceding, opting to remain weaponless as well.

Purdu entered Eiasa House’s central hall. As he placed his helmet back up on the pedestal table, Aunt Eiasa bustled up, effusive in her welcome at his return, and she greeted his officers with warm cordiality. She was pleased to see Lalya again but, unsure of the two 5th School men, forced a sideways, acknowledging nod in their direction.

Marwil, coming down the stairs, caught his eye and signal-coughed. Purdu ignored him a few moments before approaching.

“How is our Sas?”

He replied in a low tone, “He’s slowly gaining weight and getting better, my lord. Though the evening you left, the Elder Shoan came and spoke briefly with him about the . . . the god issue. Sas is upset by it and fears you are being used by . . .” Marwil froze at Purdu’s darkening countenance.

“He resists this? How can he?”

About the Author

Peter Gribble has written for NUVO and other magazines in British Columbia.

For over ten years he wrote a monthly gardening column for a local Vancouver paper.

The City of the Magicians is his first published series.

Website | Goodreads

Giveaway Alert!

Peter Gribble will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B&N gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.