First Novel Release! | The Seer and the Starlit Key

It has been some time since I’ve posted anything here. That’s because I have been busy.

I have been busy making something.

I have been busy making something that I think is pretty neat.

I have been busy making something neat that you’ll be able to purchase on the 17th of this month (September 2025)!

My first novel, The Seer and the Starlit Key, will be available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle eBook formats at that time. You can actually preorder the Kindle version now!

The Seer and the Starlit Key

The Seer and the Starlit Key is the first in a dark fantasy trilogy set in a realm brimming with vile monsters and ancient secrets—some of which are as old as the stars themselves.

The story features three heroes:

Portuis the seer, who bears in his hand the key that will mean the undoing of all of creation if it is ever used.
Tiressa the huntress, whose spear never errs and who seeks the cure to a curse that will destroy her if left unchecked.
Brennada Zulephsen the luckiest man in the world. He seeks his destiny—whatever that may prove to be.

They seek to hide the key away, but monsters, men, and the very elements oppose them in their quest, for Fate has decreed that the key be used.

In truth, the world does not wish to be saved.

Who Is This Novel For?

In all honesty, I wrote this for me. I have actually enjoyed reading and rereading it over the last year or so, meaning I can safely say that I’m my own target audience.

That said, if you like dark fantasy with existential themes, you’ll probably enjoy this one. I had fun playing around with how reality works in this world I’ve created, and I look forward to exploring it further in future installments.

Fans of Dark Souls and similar games will probably get a kick out of it, especially those who love exploring the lore and history of those games. I kind of had that entire vibe in my heart while writing this, and I think it will likely resonate well.

The world in this story is humanocentric and technically low magic (sort of?), though the world itself is pretty fantastical. The magic in this world is less Sandersonian mechanics and more “this dude can talk to the wind cos’ he’s a bit weird.” Magic is not a separate component of the setting, but rather a term used to describe the weirdness inherent to it.

I’ll note that this is dark fantasy and therefore probably not for kids. It gets quite violent and bloody in spots (the bulk of it is creature violence, but still). I did my best to handle all that in as tasteful a manner as possible, but I still give your imagination enough detail to work with to evoke some fairly horrific scenes. That said, if you can get through the Fort Daramad scene at the end of Chapter 8 (or if you read Animorphs as a kid), you’re probably good for the whole ride.

I also kind of dance with words quite a bit. Some may level accusations of using purple prose, but the truth is I enjoy that sort of thing, so it’s in the book. I do typically prioritize clarity, but it’s possible that some readers will find my language off-putting. It may or may not stretch your vocabulary a little.

Overall, the cover art gives off the overall vibe you can expect—a fantasy story with mental weirdness and a general sense of dark foreboding. Also, the main character voyages in dreams from time to time, so things get a tad psychedelic to boot.

Getting Published and Achieving Dreams

Overall, I’m pleased with what I’ve accomplished so far. This release is the next step in a long-standing dream that I’ve had to write and publish fantasy stories. The story itself grew from the daily freewriting I’ve been doing (which you can see samples of on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Bluesky), and the past year has been largely spent polishing it and getting it ready for publication. I aim to post more on here, but for now, most of my activity will be on my socials, particularly X and Facebook.

At any rate, I need to get to work on the next story. I truly hope you find enjoyment in what I’ve created so far, and I aim to deliver more in the future.

Until then, don’t run with scissors.

The Astral Wanderer is brought to you by The Seer and the Starlit Key. Check it out on Amazon, or support the blog through Patreon. Also, spread the word! All proceeds go toward learning to pin my muse in an armbar long enough to get the next book done. Really.

The Seer and the Starlit Key

Who Is This Novel For?

Getting Published and Achieving Dreams

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