Durham-based author Brendan Quayle has unveiled the highly anticipated second book in his Tales of the Q’alix trilogy, Fire Mountain. Set to hit shelves on April 16, 2025, the novel continues the perilous journey of Osian and his group of renegade warriors as they venture into uncharted territories, guided by the mysterious Shining Stone.
Fire Mountain follows Osian, a young hunter determined to find his lost family, as he confronts betrayal, treacherous terrain, and a ruthless enemy in his quest to liberate enslaved people and confront the dark force known as the Morok. The novel picks up where the first installment, The Shining Stone, left off, drawing readers into a richly imagined world of mythical creatures, ancient artifacts, and wild tribes.
Quayle’s writing is often compared to that of J.R.R. Tolkien, with its vivid world-building and complex characters. The Northern author, who combines his expertise as an anthropologist and environmentalist with experiences among Himalayan shamans, brings a unique depth to his fantasy series. Fire Mountain not only offers an immersive escape but also delivers an environmental message, urging readers to reflect on the real-world struggles humanity faces today.
The trilogy is set in a distant future, millennia after the Great Ice Age, where humanity has re-evolved in harmony with nature, rediscovering ancient animal instincts and tribal ways of life. In this world, people honor their ancestors and revere powerful totems and creator spirits. Quayle’s novels intertwine this richly detailed setting with a cautionary tale about the dangers of exploitation and resource greed, echoing contemporary issues like climate change and the threat of human extinction.
In Fire Mountain, Osian’s journey takes him deeper into the heart of Morok territory, where the renegades must rely on the strange powers of the Shining Stone to survive. Along the way, Osian finds himself drawn to Gimin, a fierce warrior of the Fox-Wolf tribe. Yet, as the story unfolds, Osian begins to question whether Gimin—and others on the journey—are truly what they seem.
Quayle, who is also an award-winning environmental writer and filmmaker, explains that his books aim to appeal to a wide audience, from younger readers to adults, and challenge them to think critically about humanity’s relationship with the environment. “This is an adventure story that can be read on many levels,” he says. “It’s also a puzzle and environmental parable that invites deeper exploration.”
The third installment of the trilogy is already in the works, and Fire Mountain promises to be a crucial chapter in the saga of Osian and the free tribes of the Greater Manau subcontinent as they battle to survive against a predatory invader.
Fire Mountain will be available in paperback for £11.99 and in ebook format for £3.99 from April 16, 2025, at major bookshops and online retailers.
