| War has consumed the Lowlands in both Jason and Anargen’s eras. Each teen struggles to keep true to the Quest as the armies led by the dark powers of the Lowlands edge closer to victory. A secret buried in Ordumair can guarantee that evil Monarch Ilyron destroys the Tower of Light Anargen has striven to defend. And Jason’s brother, Dorian, has found an equally powerful weapon in the mysterious land of Jhi. The ancient threat of dragons returning to the Lowlands threatens to plunge the Lowlands into ruin. Losses that leave both teens grieving deeply and an ever-diminishing list of allies means they must be willing to give everything to rescue their world from the looming desolation. But they must face the truth that it is still far too little to win, unless they can hold on till the King’s Day arrives. Genre: Christian, High Fantasy Release Date: December 30, 2025 Click here to get your copy! |  |
Interview with Brett
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Since this is book seven and completed the series it’s really a culmination of all the things that came before. Overall, my chief inspiration comes from the Lord through Scripture and hopefully that shines through in the symbolic elements: the High King, the Spiritsword and armor of the Knights of Light, etc. In terms of other stories that have impacted me there are the Arthurian legends, Shakespeare’s plays, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Star Wars, and a whole host of other stories I’ve imbibed throughout my life that shape my storytelling and imagination and thereby the Quest of Fire series. I will say one thing that might be an odd pick for a fantasy is All Quiet on the Western Front. Ever since I read it for a college course on modern German history it’s sat quietly within my imagination. The bleakness and inevitability of the First World War it depicts felt like the right fit for the tone and setting of Jason’s story in The Unending Light. There’s a tension there between fatalism and hope and on the surface they can seem similar but produce such different perceptions of events and purpose.
Since this is book seven and completed the series it’s really a culmination of all the things that came before. Overall, my chief inspiration comes from the Lord through Scripture and hopefully that shines through in the symbolic elements: the High King, the Spiritsword and armor of the Knights of Light, etc. In terms of other stories that have impacted me there are the Arthurian legends, Shakespeare’s plays, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Star Wars, and a whole host of other stories I’ve imbibed throughout my life that shape my storytelling and imagination and thereby the Quest of Fire series. I will say one thing that might be an odd pick for a fantasy is All Quiet on the Western Front. Ever since I read it for a college course on modern German history it’s sat quietly within my imagination. The bleakness and inevitability of the First World War it depicts felt like the right fit for the tone and setting of Jason’s story in The Unending Light. There’s a tension there between fatalism and hope and on the surface they can seem similar but produce such different perceptions of events and purpose.
#2. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I really came to love just about all of the characters in this series and feel a lot of pity and empathy even for those villainous ones who do dark and terrible things. Which I think came through in how the protagonists saw the villains at certain points. I will say that writing Jason’s character has been an unexpected pleasure. When I started the series with The Gathering Dark, I didn’t really know how to feel about this guy running from his past, skeptical of anything good—much less the Great High King of All Realms who is inherently good and just. From the start he was scrappy and though self-interested had a glimmer of care and concern for others (which is how he gets to where he’s at in the opening pages of The Gathering Dark). But seeing him become so much more than a street-wise hustler and watching that unfold to a degree beyond my intents and plans was really rewarding. I think Jason’s story is more accessible to most people so I’m glad he came to life so fully in the story. Especially since Quest of Fire is to a degree a story of how storytelling and the legacy of others being faithful to God’s calling shapes us, Jason represents that and his character arc is a chronicle of that taking place. And seeing the fruits of it in The Unending Light was so good.
I really came to love just about all of the characters in this series and feel a lot of pity and empathy even for those villainous ones who do dark and terrible things. Which I think came through in how the protagonists saw the villains at certain points. I will say that writing Jason’s character has been an unexpected pleasure. When I started the series with The Gathering Dark, I didn’t really know how to feel about this guy running from his past, skeptical of anything good—much less the Great High King of All Realms who is inherently good and just. From the start he was scrappy and though self-interested had a glimmer of care and concern for others (which is how he gets to where he’s at in the opening pages of The Gathering Dark). But seeing him become so much more than a street-wise hustler and watching that unfold to a degree beyond my intents and plans was really rewarding. I think Jason’s story is more accessible to most people so I’m glad he came to life so fully in the story. Especially since Quest of Fire is to a degree a story of how storytelling and the legacy of others being faithful to God’s calling shapes us, Jason represents that and his character arc is a chronicle of that taking place. And seeing the fruits of it in The Unending Light was so good.
#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Hopefully a sense of wonder and resilience within themselves. The real world is a dark place and those seeking to follow Christ in it are constantly bombarded by one volley after another. I hope that in the perseverance of the protagonists in the face of great evil—evil they don’t feel equipped to defeat—readers will find the same perseverance to face the darkness around them and hold fast to Christ and trust that whatever challenges and hardships He may bring us to He will ultimately work out for good even if the fullness of that good isn’t something we’ll see in our lifetimes. And the hope of that unending light on His day, that that will shape how the readers face every day ahead, recalling that there is an indescribable good waiting that our souls long for all our lives. It’s more than we can express and imagine, more than we deserve, and more than we will ever fully discover in all the ages to come.
Hopefully a sense of wonder and resilience within themselves. The real world is a dark place and those seeking to follow Christ in it are constantly bombarded by one volley after another. I hope that in the perseverance of the protagonists in the face of great evil—evil they don’t feel equipped to defeat—readers will find the same perseverance to face the darkness around them and hold fast to Christ and trust that whatever challenges and hardships He may bring us to He will ultimately work out for good even if the fullness of that good isn’t something we’ll see in our lifetimes. And the hope of that unending light on His day, that that will shape how the readers face every day ahead, recalling that there is an indescribable good waiting that our souls long for all our lives. It’s more than we can express and imagine, more than we deserve, and more than we will ever fully discover in all the ages to come.
#4. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
There are so many that it’s difficult to choose one. But one that has been important to me lately and that very much fits with The Unending Light is 2 Chronicles 20:12:
There are so many that it’s difficult to choose one. But one that has been important to me lately and that very much fits with The Unending Light is 2 Chronicles 20:12:
“O our God, will You not execute judgment on them? For we are
powerless against this great horde that is coming against us.
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
In the passage, King Jehoshaphat of Judah is watching as an enormous army of enemies—Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunites—were surrounding Jerusalem. From the perspective we have that would look bleak. There was no way Judah could win the battle conventionally and the lives of so many were at stake. It would have been easy for a king in the Davidic line that was promised to never end to doubt that promise and despair. Likewise, the characters of The Unending Light have a promised hope (which mirrors our own) that the High King will set all aright. That he loves those in his service and will triumph over the evil of the Lowlands. And in the face of the hardships and easy path of hopelessness, King Jehoshaphat and the protagonists of The Unending Light and all of us, I hope, chose to look beyond circumstances and personal limitations to seek the limitless Creator and Savior for guidance and ultimately deliverance. There’s no knowing how long or what form the Lord will answer that prayer, but He is faithful and the hope and promises He gives are real and completely reliable.
More from Brett
Quest of Fire is a story told across seven books that took twenty years of dreaming and drafting. A story about the High King, who is a reflection of the King of Kings and the great story He has composed in which we are all taking part. Our God is described as “a consuming fire”*, a fire that also refines us and is shaping us into His likeness. My hope with the Quest of Fire series is that after reading it that fire has caught and blazes in the reader’s heart and gives them the courage to stand firm. Because Quest of Fire is filled with moments in which a vast, terrible darkness seems certain to crush a small group bravely bearing up that light, and they must choose to stand firm no matter the cost. The final entry in the series, The Unending Light, picks up that theme and sees it to its harrowing end with epic battles fought across a world built with rich, immersive detail. Heart warming and rending moments take place that just as much as the dramatic and sweeping conflicts force the protagonists to face the dark and choose whether they will remain in the light and see the Quest of Fire to the end or turn back and flee like so many others around them. So my hope is that others will read and join in the Quest of Fire, because even though it is fraught and hope is fragile, there is one truth that both the protagonists of The Unending Light and we need cling to: “the darkness has not overcome the Light.”** This story, like the great story, is about Him.
* Hebrews 12:29
** John 1:5
* Hebrews 12:29
** John 1:5
 Brett Armstrong | Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow’s Edge series), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire saga). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, an
eBook copy of The Unending Light, exclusive digital map poster, and series theme music!!
eBook copy of The Unending Light, exclusive digital map poster, and series theme music!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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