BEYOND THE PAGES: The Adventurer’s Guild: Twilight of the Elves
The Adventurer’s Guild series began last Fall from authors Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulous. The book set the stage for a thrilling fantasy adventure series that continues in the sequel, Twilight of the Elves, out today from Disney Hyperion. We were lucky enough to team up with the authors to bring YAYOMG! readers an exclusive, in-depth look into the fascinating characters and lush settings of The Adventurer’s Guild series!
Whether you’re already a die-hard fan or you’re considering reading these books for the first time, you’ll love this extra special peek into this incredibly magical, suspenseful, and funny story. The stakes are higher than ever for Zed, Brock, and their friends as they work together to save their city from the Dangers and fight off an ancient, powerful magic that was thought to be extinct. If you’re as excited as we are, keep on reading as Nick and Zack bring you on a journey through the incredible world they’ve created.
“The Adventurers Guild is our ode to medieval fantasy properties like Dungeons & Dragons and Lord of the Rings . . . but with a post-apocalyptic twist. It’s got all the classic tropes — knights and wizards and monsters — but in this story, the monsters have already won. Hundreds of years ago, the world was flooded with supernatural beasts, and now only a few surviving cities remain. In Freestone, almost no one leaves the safety of the city walls, except for the grim and gritty Adventurers Guild.
Zed and Brock, our protagonists, didn’t dream of fighting monsters, but both end up in the most dangerous guild in Freestone despite their plans. Now the best friends must work together with their fellow apprentices to defend their city — and each other — from the tide of monsters that’s just waiting for a chance to strike.” – authors Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos
Go Beyond the Pages of The Adventurer’s Guild with Authors Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos:
Characters
Zed
A half-elf sorcerer with a heart of gold
Strengths: Zed’s elven heritage has given him an innate knack for magic.
Weaknesses: Physically, though, Zed’s a pushover. And he’s anxious. And there’s that whole dark magic thing . . .
Likes: Magic, elves, and sweets. The sugar addiction is a bit of a problem.
Brock
A swaggering rogue with secret allegiances
Strengths: Charismatic and clever, Brock can usually talk his way out of tough situations.
Weaknesses: Brock is overly protective of Zed, who is like a brother to him. He also has a very hard time controlling his temper, and always thinks he knows better than adults.
Likes: Strategy, stealth, and standing up to bullies.
Liza
A fierce noble who dreams of becoming a knight
Strengths: Tough, smart, and a natural-born leader, Liza is the very picture of knightly chivalry.
Weaknesses: Does her twin brother, Micah, count?
Likes: Swords, her friends, and Guildmistress Frond, her role model.
Jett
A loyal dwarf, wise beyond his years and mighty beyond his stature
Strengths: Jett is cool under pressure and fearless in the defense of his friends.
Weaknesses: He puts the needs of others before his own. He also develops crushes on his teammates a little too easily.
Likes: Dwarven craftsmanship. Dwarven weapons. Dwarven poetry.
Jayna
A genius wizard who detests dark magic
Strengths: The other mage among the apprentices, Jayna’s as brilliant as she is diligent.
Weaknesses: She can be prim and judgmental. Don’t mention dark magic while she’s in earshot.
Likes: Structure, books, and magical theory.
Micah
A sarcastic former noble and healing prodigy
Strengths: Despite what his bad attitude implies, Micah is a gifted healer.
Weaknesses: Rude and arrogant, you might suffer through an injury just to avoid his help.
Likes: His own jokes. (OK, he’s pretty funny.)
And here’s a sneak peek at the brand-new apprentice who’s introduced in Twilight of the Elves:
Fel
An elven ranger who doesn’t fear the wilderness
Strengths: Fel is an excellent tracker, a flawless shot with bow and arrow, and knows how to survive outside the safety of the wards.
Weaknesses: She’d rather face a monster than assert herself with other people.
Likes: Positivity, learning about other cultures, and her ugly-cute cat, Mousebane.
Settings:
Our books take place in the world of Terryn, where civilization was nearly destroyed two-hundred years ago by a magic ritual gone wrong.
Foster Pendleton, also known as Foster the Warlock, opened the gates between the Seven Planes, flooding Terryn with monsters. The city of Freestone only survives today thanks to the four Champions of Freestone — Foster’s former allies — who fought against the monstrous horde and killed their wayward friend before his ritual could finish.
To survive in this dangerous new world, Freestone now operates under a strict system of guilds, trade organizations that determine a child’s future from the time they’re twelve. There are guilds for everything the city needs — blacksmiths and bakers and candlestick makers — but every child dreams of joining one of the four High Guilds, founded by the Champions themselves.
The Knights Guild (aka the Stone Sons)
Founded by Ser Jerra Freestone, the Paladin. The knights act as Freestone’s guards and police force, keeping peace and protecting the royal family. Apprentices here are called squires.
The Mages Guild (aka the Silverglows)
Founded by Zahira Silverglow, the Enchantress. The Mages Guild is responsible for Freestone’s magical protections — including the wards that prevent monsters from entering.
The Healers Guild (aka the Golden Way)
Apprentices here are called novices. All members must renounce their family names and titles, becoming Brothers or Sisters. The guild was founded by Mother Aedra, the Priestess.
The Merchants Guild
Founded by Dox Eural, the Assassin, after he gave up his thieving ways. The Merchants Guild facilitates all trade in the city.
. . . Although. The guild also has another face. Beneath the respectable facade of the merchants lies a secret underworld of spies and thieves, known only as the Shadows.
The Adventurers Guild (aka the Sea of Stars)
Then there’s the guild that no one wants to join, because their job is exploring the monster-infested wilds outside.
Founded by all four Champions, who knew that brave souls would be needed to venture beyond the safety of the city, this company of misfits makes up for its unpopularity with one powerful tool: the draft. Once a year, the adventurers can pull any first-year apprentice from any guild they want, conscripting them into the most dangerous occupation in Freestone.
Led by the fearsome Alabasel Frond, the Sea of Stars is not generally a guild for the faint of heart. Unfortunately, the faint of heart don’t always get a choice in the matter.
If you’re interested in learning more about Freestone or taking a quiz to see which guild you’d be sorted into, check out our site at DayofDangers.com.
Beyond Freestone:
Though it’s where most of our story takes place, Freestone isn’t the only city that survived the monster apocalypse. Far from our heroes’ home, there are four other known capitals that remain. The closest one is Llethanyl, the City of the Elves.
We don’t want to give too much away, but Llethanyl plays a big part in the sequel, Twilight of the Elves. In this book, we’re introduced to the intricacies of elven society, and the sacred tradition that may have accidentally spelled their doom.
In need of even more reads for your next library outing? Our YAYBOOKS! November Roundup features over 20 brand new books releasing this month!
