Tag: magical realism

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Q&A for the Author of The Halls of the Shadow King

Screen capture from Amazon on Halls of the Shadow King

Q&A with W. Tod Newman, Author of The Halls of the Shadow King

Being a full-time author means dealing with a strange paradox.

No one outside your immediate circle will ever read your book without marketing. For introverted authors who loathe self-promotion, this stinks. But I’ve accepted it as necessary. Most of us write because we believe we’re offering something valuable—entertainment, wisdom gleaned from experience, or both. That value disappears if we never reach the right readers.

I’ve also learned that there are sadistic people out there who find great satisfaction in tearing down authors through anonymous one-star reviews. Often these come from individuals who never bought or read the book. I’ve heard stories of authors receiving one-star reviews describing entirely different books from the one they wrote. Amazon rarely removes these unless they’re extreme violations. They’ll tell you it averages out eventually.

Getting actual readers to leave reviews? Nearly impossible. Whole industries exist around “review farming” to manufacture early buzz for new releases. I find this distasteful.

So here’s my attempt at a different approach—a Q&A based on questions people have actually asked me. Maybe some stray Google search will bring an interested reader this way. Stranger things have happened.

Question: How did you come up with the idea for The Halls of the Shadow King series?

Most authors writing Young Adult series don’t start with AD 280 in the Roman Empire. This choice reflects my love of research—after writing two novels set during the Old Testament prophets, diving into this era was easy and enjoyable.

But the idea came as a question: “What would have happened if the powerful gifts seen in the early church had manifested during Roman persecution?” The timing seemed obvious. Emperor Valerian launched unusually harsh persecutions that began suddenly and ended just as suddenly under his son. My research never turned up a compelling reason why.

Amal emerged as the answer to that question—a gifted young man drawn from street crime in Damascus into a secretive organization dedicated to furthering The Way. His gift combines elements I’ve seen scattered through legends worldwide. Why not place a character who can reshape reality at the center of world-changing events?

Question: Is Amal a perfectly powerful character like Superman?

I struggled to keep Amal human. I don’t enjoy all-powerful, all-good characters in literature. Besides his extraordinary gift, I gave Amal something perhaps more valuable: humility.

Where did this come from? Partly from the kindness of his Creator, but also from making mistakes and learning his capacity for error. He never feels fully confident to me, which makes him real.

If anyone actually reads this and engages, I’ll keep writing these Q&A pieces until people get sick of it!

Want to Check out the SERIES? Head over to my store (product is fulfilled from Lulu.com, which makes a nicer paperback product than Amazon).

Question: Why do you love writing so much?

I’ve asked myself this since high school. Writing was something I kept pushing forward on despite never being satisfied with the output. Eventually I started appreciating my own style and discovered that I could finally complete works I’d started and abandoned. The Halls of the Shadow King is an example—I wrote about half of it between 2016 and 2018, then let it rest. After publishing my two Old Testament prophet novels in the 2020s, I returned to “Halls” and found I could finally tell Amal’s story the way it needed to be told.

But why do I love it?

I write because I like to share. What I’ve learned and gradually understood about life might be transferable to others. My reading taste has always leaned toward the classics, where authors were less distracted by material things (and iPhones!) and more focused on sharing their wisdom, their hearts, and their imaginations.

I think readers may detect this influence in my writing. I hope it has a good effect.

OTHER LINKS about this Series

Reviews from Readers’ Favorite

UP NEXT in the Series

COVER ART process. Yes, I do my own covers (not AI).

BEHIND THE SCENES of the making of the series

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Reviews of “The Halls of the Shadow King: The Apprentice”

Readers' Favorite 5-star seal

Here are a few of the professional reviews I’ve received on the first book in the series. I’m not really obsessed with reviews or marketing my books, but I won this review package in a Independent Book Contest and figured I ought to repost. They were all 5-star reviews… Readers’ Favorite does seem to give a fair number of 5-star reviews, but it’s hard to know the percentage since they don’t post anything lower than 4-star. Still, maybe good?

Find the Full Series on Amazon HERE

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite

The Halls of the Shadow King: The Apprentice by W. Tod Newman follows Amal, an orphaned street thief in third-century Syria, fighting to keep his younger sister Neffie alive in a harsh and unforgiving world. When slave traders take her, he discovers a remarkable ability to reshape reality, altering outcomes and alliances in ways others cannot. His daring rescue of dozens of enslaved children draws the attention of the Shadow King, who leads a network safeguarding followers of The Way across the Roman Empire. As Emperor Valerian intensifies the persecution of bishops and believers, Amal is tasked with infiltrating Rome and influencing the emperor. Guided by sages and strategists, he must master his powers while confronting ancient, formidable forces that threaten the empire and the survival of The Way. “That is the balance we all must find – between power and restraint, between action and wisdom. Today you learned more about both than a hundred lessons could have taught you.”

The Halls of the Shadow King: The Apprentice by W. Tod Newman is a really ambitious undertaking, but the author handles it well. I love the contrast of scale, authority, and vulnerability. Amal and Neffie are small children entering spaces filled with political and mystical authority, and we quickly learn that Amal, as a seemingly powerless protagonist, is about to navigate a complex, threatening world. The world-building itself is phenomenal. Newman constructs a richly layered world with cultural, historical, and mystical dimensions. References to both tangible and legendary histories suggest that Amal’s experiences are part of a broader continuum. The inclusion of diverse locations and scholarly networks, like the Alexandrian manuscripts and the Wanderer’s travels, anchoring these elements in a historical context, got me wondering how, through Amal, visions and altering events will shape future outcomes. Overall, this is a solid first entry into the new series, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers’ Favorite

Amal, a young street orphan and thief, begins life under the cruel hand of the Roman Empire. His existence is one where Christians face persecution and slavery. When his sister, Neffie, falls prey to slave traders, Amal sets out on a harrowing quest to save her. Along the way, strange supernatural powers begin to stir inside of him when the dangers close in. Gradually, Amal’s journey draws him deeper along a secret path called The Way. Ultimately, he is guided by an enigmatic spiritual leader called the Shadow King. Soon enough, he meets friends and foes who force him to value the power of trust while embracing his true purpose. With time running short, Amal stands between light and darkness. Will his inner strength guide him toward freedom or plunge him deeper into the shadows? Find out in W. Tod Newman’s The Halls of the Shadow King.

This captivating novel is more than your average YA historical fantasy. It is a story about inner turmoil and resilience. Set against the backdrop of Roman persecution, W. Tod Newman passionately writes about how ordinary people can find extraordinary strength to do brave things when faced with oppression and suffering. Through Amal’s eyes, readers will bear witness to how spirituality, power, and self-identity can clash in a world dictated by secrets and hidden threats. I’m genuinely amazed at how well the story merges real history and magical elements, making Amal’s encounters both believable and exciting to follow. The author knows how to create characters that come alive and stand out throughout the book. Each character, from the Shadow King to Amal and Gallien, conveys different ways people respond to issues like fear and control. From beginning to end, The Halls of the Shadow King challenges readers to think about the price of truth and what it means to withstand internal and external darkness. It truly is a literary gem.

Reviewed by Isabella Harris for Readers’ Favorite

The Apprentice by W. Tod Newman is the first installment in The Halls of the Shadow King series. Set during the Roman era, Amal, a young street thief, is searching for his sister, whom he believes has been kidnapped by slavers. During his search, he is overwhelmed by an extraordinary power that grants him the ability to reshape reality. He uses this power to successfully rescue his sister, with other children held hostage by the slavers, leading them to seek refuge in a community of worshippers called The Way. Unfortunately, the followers of The Way Amal are being threatened by the Roman Empire, which strongly opposes their beliefs. With Amal’s newfound powers, the fate of their beliefs now rests on his ability to understand and harness his extraordinary gift.

I was really impressed by how W. Tod Newman was able to blend a historical setting with faith and mysteries. The Halls of the Shadow King shows the reign of the Roman Empire and the struggle the followers of The Way suffered at the hands of the Romans. I loved how remarkably the characters were developed, especially Amal, who goes from a young street thief to someone on whose shoulders the fate of an entire religion lies. The pacing kept me engaged, which allowed me to fully understand Amal’s motivations and his journey of fully harnessing his powers. The Halls of the Shadow King: The Apprentice covers themes of humility, determination, greed, deceit, and much more. I recommend it to readers who are interested in historical fiction with a touch of extraordinary mystery.

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The Historical Fiction Dragon Book Readers Have Been Waiting For

Looking for a historical fiction dragon book that breaks all the fantasy tropes? You’ve found it.

After three books of supernatural intrigue spanning from Damascus to Rome, The Halls of the Shadow King series is taking an unexpected turn—straight into the mist-shrouded mountains of ancient Britannia.

And this time, Amal faces something he can’t simply outsmart or outmaneuver: a dragon.

From Street Thief to Dragon-Binder

When we first met Amal in The Apprentice, he was a desperate thirteen-year-old stealing maps to save his sister. Now, as the Shadow King leading a vast underground network across the Roman Empire, he’s being called to confront an ancient evil that has terrorized British villages for generations.

But here’s the twist: he might not be able to kill it.

This isn’t your typical historical fiction dragon book where the hero simply slays the beast and rides off into the sunset. In fact, Amal’s mission is far more complex—and far more dangerous.

What Readers Are Saying About This Historical Fiction Dragon Book

“I thought this was historical fiction with a supernatural edge. Book Four turned it into something entirely different—and I couldn’t put it down.”

The fourth installment, Brittania Calls, takes everything that made the first three books compelling—the intricate plotting, the richly researched historical detail, the exploration of power and humility—and adds something readers will love: a dragon.

But not the dragon you expect.

The Mission: Binding an Ancient Evil

When three young Britons arrive at Amal’s safehouse in Malta with desperate pleas for help, he learns that the persecution-free awakening spreading across Britannia is threatened by something older than Rome itself. A dragon, dormant for decades, is stirring in the western mountains. Moreover, if The Morrigan—the ancient entity Amal barely survived in Rome—is behind its awakening, the consequences could reshape the entire empire.

Amal’s solution? Assemble a team unlike any other:

  • Finn, the Irish warrior-prince with knowledge of Celtic magic
  • Andreas, the scholarly priest with expertise in ancient texts
  • Four Carthaginian practitioners experienced in binding rituals
  • Three desperate British youths carrying fragments of forgotten druid wisdom

Their goal isn’t to slay the dragon in some heroic confrontation. Instead, it’s to bind it—seal it away using ancient rituals that combine Carthaginian, Hebrew, and Celtic traditions into something entirely new.

Why This Historical Fiction Dragon Book Hits Different

Historical readers will love the meticulous research into 3rd-century trade routes from Carthage to Britain, the authentic portrayal of early Christian communities, and the seamless blend of Roman, Celtic, and North African cultures.

Fantasy readers will devour the dragon lore, the exploration of binding rituals versus destruction, and the way ancient spiritual entities interact with the physical world.

Literary fiction fans will appreciate the deeper questions: What does victory look like when you can’t simply destroy your enemy? How do you wield supernatural power with humility? What happens when your faith requires you to walk into situations where success isn’t guaranteed?

Historical Accuracy Meets Celtic Magic

What sets this early Christian fiction apart is the exhaustive research behind every detail. The trade goods carried from Carthage to Britannia? Historically accurate—wine, olive oil, grain, and garum (fermented fish sauce) were staples of Roman-era commerce. The Atlantic crossing through the Pillars of Hercules? Based on actual Carthaginian trade routes that predated Roman dominance.

However, the magic system isn’t borrowed from modern fantasy. The binding rituals draw from genuine ancient traditions—Carthaginian texts on containing spiritual entities, Hebrew practices of spiritual warfare, and Celtic druid wisdom that survived Rome’s suppression of their culture.

A Three-Week Voyage Into Darkness

The Atlantic crossing alone is worth the price of admission. As Amal’s team sails from Carthage through the Pillars of Hercules into the wild Atlantic, they’re not just traveling to Britain—they’re preparing for spiritual warfare unlike anything they’ve faced before.

They study ancient texts on binding rituals. They train in coordinated combat tactics. They listen as the young British woman Branwen sings songs her grandmother taught her—songs that contain fragments of the original ritual that once sealed the dragon away.

And slowly, they transform from a group of individuals into something more powerful: a unified force capable of confronting ancient evil.

Behind the Scenes: Researching the Dragon

Creating a believable historical fiction dragon book required diving deep into multiple mythological traditions. Celtic dragon lore differs significantly from Greek or Norse traditions. The ancient Britons viewed dragons not as mindless beasts but as intelligent, potentially corruptible beings—guardians who could be twisted into monsters.

This research led to one of the book’s central questions: What if the dragon wasn’t always evil? What if ancient kings made pacts with it, offering worship in exchange for protection? And what happens when such a creature, corrupted over centuries, can no longer be reasoned with?

The Questions Readers Are Asking

Q: Do I need to read Books 1, 2, and 3 first?

While Brittania Calls can stand alone, the full impact of Amal’s journey—from street thief to apprentice to Shadow King—is best experienced from the beginning. Plus, his confrontation with The Morrigan in Rome sets up crucial context for the Britannia mission.

Q: Is this Christian fiction?

It’s historical fiction set in the 3rd-century church during Roman persecution. The characters are believers navigating how to use supernatural gifts faithfully. But it’s written for a broad audience—anyone who loves well-researched historical fiction with supernatural elements.

Q: Does the dragon get killed?

No spoilers! But I will say this: the resolution challenges typical fantasy tropes in ways readers are finding surprisingly satisfying. This spiritual warfare fiction takes a different approach to victory.

Q: How accurate is the Roman Britain setting?

Extremely. From the garrison locations to the trade networks to the tension between Romanized Britons and unconquered tribes beyond the Wall—every detail is grounded in historical research. Even the dragon’s lair placement is based on actual Celtic sacred sites in western Britain.

Q: When does the book release?

Brittania Calls is coming soon! Meanwhile, check out the full series (Kindle or Paperback) on Amazon HERE. At Desdichado Books, we attempt to keep the prices as low as possible to prevent any barrier to potential readers.

What Makes This Series Unique

The Halls of the Shadow King isn’t your typical “hero with a sword saves the day” fantasy. It’s about:

  • Power wielded with humility rather than domination
  • Communities working together rather than lone heroes
  • Spiritual warfare that acknowledges some battles are about containment, not conquest
  • Historical accuracy that brings the 3rd-century Mediterranean world to vivid life
  • Deep questions about faith, calling, and what it means to serve something greater than yourself
  • Multi-cultural perspectives blending Roman, Celtic, Carthaginian, and Hebrew traditions

A Map of Amal’s Journey to Britannia

The team’s route takes them through some of the most strategic locations in the ancient Mediterranean:

  • Antioch – Network headquarters where the mission begins
  • Cyprus – First gathering point for intelligence
  • Rhodes – Strategic maritime crossroads
  • Crete – Where they survive a devastating storm
  • Carthage – Where they recruit the binding specialists
  • Through the Pillars of Hercules – Entering the wild Atlantic
  • Western Britannia – The dragon’s domain

Each stop adds crucial pieces to the puzzle—knowledge, resources, and team members who will prove essential in confronting the dragon.

The Author’s Vision

W. Tod Newman set out to write a different kind of early Christian fiction—one that didn’t shy away from supernatural elements but grounded them in historical reality. The result is a series that appeals to fans of Bernard Cornwell’s historical accuracy, Stephen Lawhead’s Celtic spirituality, and Frank Peretti’s spiritual warfare—but with its own unique voice.

“I wanted to explore what would happen if someone with genuine supernatural gifting lived during the Roman persecution. Not a sanitized, safe version—but the real questions: How do you use such power faithfully? What does it cost? And what happens when simply ‘winning’ isn’t the point?” – W. Tod Newman

Ready to Join the Voyage?

If you’re tired of the same old fantasy tropes… if you love historical fiction that doesn’t sacrifice accuracy for drama… if you want characters who wrestle with real questions about power, faith, and purpose… then this is your series.

Start with The Apprentice and watch a street thief become something extraordinary.
Continue with Into Deeper Waters as the stakes expand from one city to an empire.
Proceed to The Hidden Order which is the conclusion of the first three novels and explores conflict with ancient evil powers and saving the soul of Rome.

Then Finish with Brittania Calls as Amal faces his greatest challenge yet in the misty mountains of Britannia.

Because sometimes the most powerful victories don’t come from destroying your enemies.

Sometimes they come from learning to bind them—and trust that the Great King’s purposes will ultimately prevail.

Available Now at All Major Retailers

The Halls of the Shadow King series by W. Tod Newman
Published by Desdichado Books

Order your copy today:

Connect with the author:
Website: todnewman.com

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“Newman has crafted something rare—a historical fiction dragon book that respects both history and faith while delivering edge-of-your-seat supernatural thriller pacing. The Britannia storyline is his best work yet.”

Tags: historical fiction dragon book, early Christian fiction, Roman Britain fantasy, spiritual warfare fiction, Celtic magic historical novel, 3rd century Rome, Carthage to Britain, dragon binding ritual, The Halls of the Shadow King