S.G. Night's Blog: Ember and Ink
July 24, 2019
Saunas Vs. Steam Rooms: Which Is Better?
what’s a sauna?
Saunas utilize dry heat. They’re commonly heated somewhere in the range of 180 and 195°F with low moistness, heated by wood, gas, electric, or infrared innovation. “It resembles sitting in a broiler”. That is the reason individuals frequently pour water over heated shakes in a sauna room—it makes steam for a tad of moistness, she says.
However, individuals discover the advantages justified, despite all the trouble. Individuals can see improved blood dis...
October 21, 2013
ThisGirlReadsALot's Review of Attrition
The following is a review of ATTRITION from Jazmen of ThisGirlReadsALot:
"Attrition is a multi layered colorfully striking kick a** tale featuring supernatural characters with a tale for the ages. Its not a story for the weak hearted. Its layers and characters grab you and keep you from page one. I found myself immersed in a story my mind was unprepared for. When I pick up books like these I'm often apprehensive because I always think I won't like them because I'm typically impartial to the genre but this book is so bad a**. Its detailed in a way that can only be obtained by time. Its obvious that this was work of deep thought and a vivid imagination.
Every chapter added a new layer to an already complex but intriguing story. I really appreciated that detail. The descriptions and the character building is of a high standard. Every aspect is explained and built on in a timely manner. You will find no parts of this book lacking definition. I have to admit I've read some pretty crappy self published novels but this is not one of them. Just short of 600 pages this book has a lot to give and it does not disappoint.
Such vivid imagery and flowery writing, there is a movie inside of this book. I can already imagine it on the big screen. It is written with such creativity and care. It is sure to arouse an imagination in even the most unimaginative of people. It's just wow. A realistic tale of intrigue, mystery, murder, and bravery. Readers are sure to stay up late hours trying in vain to finish this novel. It captivated me in just a few short chapters and I don't doubt it will do the same for other readers. I highly recommend this one and it has earned itself a place among some of my most coveted favorites."
"Attrition is a multi layered colorfully striking kick a** tale featuring supernatural characters with a tale for the ages. Its not a story for the weak hearted. Its layers and characters grab you and keep you from page one. I found myself immersed in a story my mind was unprepared for. When I pick up books like these I'm often apprehensive because I always think I won't like them because I'm typically impartial to the genre but this book is so bad a**. Its detailed in a way that can only be obtained by time. Its obvious that this was work of deep thought and a vivid imagination.
Every chapter added a new layer to an already complex but intriguing story. I really appreciated that detail. The descriptions and the character building is of a high standard. Every aspect is explained and built on in a timely manner. You will find no parts of this book lacking definition. I have to admit I've read some pretty crappy self published novels but this is not one of them. Just short of 600 pages this book has a lot to give and it does not disappoint.
Such vivid imagery and flowery writing, there is a movie inside of this book. I can already imagine it on the big screen. It is written with such creativity and care. It is sure to arouse an imagination in even the most unimaginative of people. It's just wow. A realistic tale of intrigue, mystery, murder, and bravery. Readers are sure to stay up late hours trying in vain to finish this novel. It captivated me in just a few short chapters and I don't doubt it will do the same for other readers. I highly recommend this one and it has earned itself a place among some of my most coveted favorites."
October 14, 2013
Review of ATTRITION by the Self Publisher Showcase
The following is a review of "Attrition: the First Act of Penance" by Self Publisher Showcase. Original Article: http://goo.gl/bt1Q19
--
"I have to admit that I have been a fan of the fantasy genre ever since I picked up Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings and Magician by Raymond E Feist many moons ago. The difficulty is that I have found that many fantasy books don’t live up to similar expectations and often tread the same path as countless novels before. Perhaps this can be laid partly at the foot of the Forgotten Realms series and those of a similar ilk which came straight out of the Dungeons and Dragons game.
Attrition: The First Act of Penance thankfully does not tread those same streets. The prologue had me both intrigued and worried to start, as the storyteller sits across from the chief protagonist of the rest of the book, cajoling him to tell his story. It was an intriguing premise that immediately pushed you to find out the history behind this mysterious character from which the Cold exuded. And yet the Cold was exactly what concerned me: there were too many Portents and Capital Letters which so easily could have drowned the story in pretension and laborious delivery.
Thankfully, this is restricted to the Prologue and Epilogue, and is quite obviously intentional, as the rest of the book is written in a wonderfully descriptive and evocative style. From the descriptions of the rooftops of Litoras to the tall tower called Velik Tor in Oblakgrad, home of this superhuman race named the Majiski, the world in which the main character, Racath, inhabits is mapped out in glorious detail. So too are the races that inhabit this world: Humans, Majiski, Elves, Arkûl and Goblins, each with their own specific traits and abilities. The languages of the Dominion of Io are also effortlessly intertwined into dialogue, adding a richness and strangeness to the world, without alienating us as we delve into the world that Night has created.
Admittedly, there were one or two instances where language did intrude: the invention of faul as a swearword grated for a while, but was elegantly explained later in the book, and “gonna” instead of “going to” seemed at odds with the rest of the language used by some of the characters.
Nevertheless, if you thought that Night had exhausted himself describing the world, its races and the languages they spoke, you’d be wrong. Each character within Attrition is afforded attention, their personalities consistently developed as the plot progresses. Racath begins as an accomplished, if naïve and overconfident assassin for the Majiski, before discovering his true abilities as a magician of the highest order, able to command fire without limit through his corobna dosdom. His compatriots, Notak, Rachel, Toron, Alexis and Nelle have their own issues and traits which are deftly woven into the plot, addressed and acknowledged in their interactions. Yet even the simplest character, killed off within the first few pages, is given a full personality.
Towards the end of the book, I decided to find out more about the author, and I’m glad I waited. It’s hard to believe that S.G. Night is just 18, and this book has taken him four years to develop. This review may well have had a very different outlook if I had known that from the outset. For a writer who had ten years of storytelling under their belt, I would have said that that Attrition was a brilliantly imaginative novel, with the odd aspect that detracted (such as the aforementioned Prologue, and the occasional lapse into archetypal film-style action sequences), but nevertheless a book that serves as a good introduction to the author’s later books.
That this is Night’s first book has taken me aback. Whilst I was reading it, I was unable to put it down, making for several tired days at work the morning after, and it was with immense sadness that I reached the end. It is a novel with astonishing maturity and a well-developed writing style that delivers in almost every aspect. It has left me in a state of limbo, hoping that it won’t take Night another four years to deliver the second Act to this epic.
So why am I giving him only four and a half stars? Am I being mean? Certainly, if I hadn’t known Night’s background and age, I may have given him five stars (or then again, possibly fewer, since I might have expected a more seasoned writer to have ironed out the wrinkles). As it is, I know and expect that Night can deliver even better than this, and believe me, this is a superb, sumptuous, redolent book. I want the second Act to get the five stars, and then Self Publisher’s Showcase is going to have to come up with more stars for the third. I want Night to do well, because I have not found a Fantasy author who has excited me like this in years.
**** 4.5 STARS!
MATTHEW"
Attrition: the First Act of Penance
--
"I have to admit that I have been a fan of the fantasy genre ever since I picked up Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings and Magician by Raymond E Feist many moons ago. The difficulty is that I have found that many fantasy books don’t live up to similar expectations and often tread the same path as countless novels before. Perhaps this can be laid partly at the foot of the Forgotten Realms series and those of a similar ilk which came straight out of the Dungeons and Dragons game.
Attrition: The First Act of Penance thankfully does not tread those same streets. The prologue had me both intrigued and worried to start, as the storyteller sits across from the chief protagonist of the rest of the book, cajoling him to tell his story. It was an intriguing premise that immediately pushed you to find out the history behind this mysterious character from which the Cold exuded. And yet the Cold was exactly what concerned me: there were too many Portents and Capital Letters which so easily could have drowned the story in pretension and laborious delivery.
Thankfully, this is restricted to the Prologue and Epilogue, and is quite obviously intentional, as the rest of the book is written in a wonderfully descriptive and evocative style. From the descriptions of the rooftops of Litoras to the tall tower called Velik Tor in Oblakgrad, home of this superhuman race named the Majiski, the world in which the main character, Racath, inhabits is mapped out in glorious detail. So too are the races that inhabit this world: Humans, Majiski, Elves, Arkûl and Goblins, each with their own specific traits and abilities. The languages of the Dominion of Io are also effortlessly intertwined into dialogue, adding a richness and strangeness to the world, without alienating us as we delve into the world that Night has created.
Admittedly, there were one or two instances where language did intrude: the invention of faul as a swearword grated for a while, but was elegantly explained later in the book, and “gonna” instead of “going to” seemed at odds with the rest of the language used by some of the characters.
Nevertheless, if you thought that Night had exhausted himself describing the world, its races and the languages they spoke, you’d be wrong. Each character within Attrition is afforded attention, their personalities consistently developed as the plot progresses. Racath begins as an accomplished, if naïve and overconfident assassin for the Majiski, before discovering his true abilities as a magician of the highest order, able to command fire without limit through his corobna dosdom. His compatriots, Notak, Rachel, Toron, Alexis and Nelle have their own issues and traits which are deftly woven into the plot, addressed and acknowledged in their interactions. Yet even the simplest character, killed off within the first few pages, is given a full personality.
Towards the end of the book, I decided to find out more about the author, and I’m glad I waited. It’s hard to believe that S.G. Night is just 18, and this book has taken him four years to develop. This review may well have had a very different outlook if I had known that from the outset. For a writer who had ten years of storytelling under their belt, I would have said that that Attrition was a brilliantly imaginative novel, with the odd aspect that detracted (such as the aforementioned Prologue, and the occasional lapse into archetypal film-style action sequences), but nevertheless a book that serves as a good introduction to the author’s later books.
That this is Night’s first book has taken me aback. Whilst I was reading it, I was unable to put it down, making for several tired days at work the morning after, and it was with immense sadness that I reached the end. It is a novel with astonishing maturity and a well-developed writing style that delivers in almost every aspect. It has left me in a state of limbo, hoping that it won’t take Night another four years to deliver the second Act to this epic.
So why am I giving him only four and a half stars? Am I being mean? Certainly, if I hadn’t known Night’s background and age, I may have given him five stars (or then again, possibly fewer, since I might have expected a more seasoned writer to have ironed out the wrinkles). As it is, I know and expect that Night can deliver even better than this, and believe me, this is a superb, sumptuous, redolent book. I want the second Act to get the five stars, and then Self Publisher’s Showcase is going to have to come up with more stars for the third. I want Night to do well, because I have not found a Fantasy author who has excited me like this in years.
**** 4.5 STARS!
MATTHEW"
Attrition: the First Act of Penance
October 11, 2013
Review of ATTRITION: THE FIRST ACT OF PENANCE by Literary Litter
The following is the review of ATTRITION by Literary Litter:
"Perfection!" - October 10, 2013
----
I have to admit, I was a little intimidated beginning this book. It's written by an 18-year-old, which makes you wonder about how well it will be written. It's a thick book with small type. No one is reading this in one sitting, unless you don't sleep. Whenever you pick up a new author, there's always the chance that it'll be terrible and you'll have to force yourself through to the end. In this case, 582 pages. To recap, I was nervous. This book is large and written by a 'kid'.
I'm an idiot!
From the first page I was covered in goose bumps. This so-called 'kid' isn't merely a writer, he's a wordsmith. I don't say this often, but Night was born to write. It's that simple. This book was pure perfection.
Night has created an entire new world with new races of people. He has taken old classic 'monsters' and given them new life. What could have been a droning, dull, confusing tale is actually a masterpiece. You find yourself immediately immersed in this world and it's surrounding peoples and it's painless! You don't have to think and process, you just exist there. Each character becomes a piece of you at the moment of introduction. You become immediately invested in not only each one, but their plight as well.
The action! Adventure! I could see it all so clearly in my head! The funny thing is, this wasn't as simple as reading a story and getting involved. At least, not for me. This has become a memory. I was there. I remember the sights, the smells, the tones of voice for each moment. Feelings and emotions still pulsate with each memory.
Earlier, I stated that Night is a wordsmith, and I want it known that I'm not exaggerating. "Small sparks and static flitting between his upraised fingers. The arcs were white, pale and bright. They crackled and snapped, twisted, writhed, like a cosmic song and dance." A few short sentences paints such a vivid and bright picture in your head. You can actually see it. Not only that, it just sounds pretty. It's poetry.
This book is intended for the young adult, but I can't imagine any adult not loving this. If fantasy and sci-fi seem a little overdone to you, seriously, give Night a shot. He's taken classics and reworked them into brilliance. I'f you're an action junkie, this book will surely deliver. The drama, the passion, the magic. If you're entertainment budget only allows for one book this year, make it this one. It's going on the top shelf of my Keeper Shelf along with my favorite classics.
Attrition: the First Act of Penance
"Perfection!" - October 10, 2013
----
I have to admit, I was a little intimidated beginning this book. It's written by an 18-year-old, which makes you wonder about how well it will be written. It's a thick book with small type. No one is reading this in one sitting, unless you don't sleep. Whenever you pick up a new author, there's always the chance that it'll be terrible and you'll have to force yourself through to the end. In this case, 582 pages. To recap, I was nervous. This book is large and written by a 'kid'.
I'm an idiot!
From the first page I was covered in goose bumps. This so-called 'kid' isn't merely a writer, he's a wordsmith. I don't say this often, but Night was born to write. It's that simple. This book was pure perfection.
Night has created an entire new world with new races of people. He has taken old classic 'monsters' and given them new life. What could have been a droning, dull, confusing tale is actually a masterpiece. You find yourself immediately immersed in this world and it's surrounding peoples and it's painless! You don't have to think and process, you just exist there. Each character becomes a piece of you at the moment of introduction. You become immediately invested in not only each one, but their plight as well.
The action! Adventure! I could see it all so clearly in my head! The funny thing is, this wasn't as simple as reading a story and getting involved. At least, not for me. This has become a memory. I was there. I remember the sights, the smells, the tones of voice for each moment. Feelings and emotions still pulsate with each memory.
Earlier, I stated that Night is a wordsmith, and I want it known that I'm not exaggerating. "Small sparks and static flitting between his upraised fingers. The arcs were white, pale and bright. They crackled and snapped, twisted, writhed, like a cosmic song and dance." A few short sentences paints such a vivid and bright picture in your head. You can actually see it. Not only that, it just sounds pretty. It's poetry.
This book is intended for the young adult, but I can't imagine any adult not loving this. If fantasy and sci-fi seem a little overdone to you, seriously, give Night a shot. He's taken classics and reworked them into brilliance. I'f you're an action junkie, this book will surely deliver. The drama, the passion, the magic. If you're entertainment budget only allows for one book this year, make it this one. It's going on the top shelf of my Keeper Shelf along with my favorite classics.
Attrition: the First Act of Penance
October 5, 2013
Review of Attrition by Dianne Bylo of "Tome Tender"
A review of "Attrition: the First Act of Penance" by official reviewer Dianne Bylo of Tome Tender.
--
Truly Epic! Truly Intense! Truly Magnetic! — October 4, 2013
by Dianne Bylo, Tome Tender
"I was spellbound from the first page; absolutely spellbound with the depth of each sentence and the creative genius that brought to life an entire world, from its magic to its demons to the humans caught in the middle of the war between good and evil. Attrition: the First Act of Penance by S. G. Night is probably one of the most fascinating dark fantasies I have ever read! The Demonic Dominion has taken over the world. Under their harsh rule, most humans have become meek slaves to evil, barely existing, the will to fight back is gone. The few humans who have made a truce of sorts with the demons have become traitors to humanity, all in the name of greed. Only one magical race of beings could dare stand and battle against the Dominion, and they are a dying breed. The Majiski, mage warriors were slaughtered enmasse when the Dominion took over, betrayed by those they protected. The few who remained stayed in the shadows, acting as assassins and spies. One such warrior became the driving force to take back the world and drive the demons out. Racath Thanjel saw injustice and fought to give others the strength and will to fight for themselves. His story is being told and recorded in almost hushed tones, long after the battles were over, the deceits uncovered, the traitors revealed.
S. G. Night has truly dazzled me with his epic tale. This is fantasy, dark and foreboding. S. G. Night's ability to paint each scene with such clarity and precision allowed me to envision every detail, playing in 3D in my mind, using all of my senses.
His villains are unquestionably the dregs of the earth, their acts are horrific, graphic and brutal. His heroes are larger than life, the stuff legends are made of, full of heart, able to swallow fear and do what needs to be done.
As far as the main character, Racath, I don't believe I've ever seen a better depiction of that over-the-top kind of champion, because I saw his weakness, his strength, his heart and what he wanted for the world.
Attrition: the First Act of Penance is NOT light reading, it is intense, this isn't an imitation of a different world, Mr. Night started with a blank page and built his world from the ground up, even naming his own days on a calendar he devised. The money system? Same thing. Even the games, although sounding totally familiar, are re-born with new names! Epic is a word I rarely use, but it is the best one to describe this book, and what should prove to be an "epic" series.
If you've ever considered looking into dark fantasy, and asked me what I would recommend, this would be it! I WILL definitely read more from this author, so he better be writing fast!"
Attrition: the First Act of Penance
S.G. Night
--
Truly Epic! Truly Intense! Truly Magnetic! — October 4, 2013
by Dianne Bylo, Tome Tender
"I was spellbound from the first page; absolutely spellbound with the depth of each sentence and the creative genius that brought to life an entire world, from its magic to its demons to the humans caught in the middle of the war between good and evil. Attrition: the First Act of Penance by S. G. Night is probably one of the most fascinating dark fantasies I have ever read! The Demonic Dominion has taken over the world. Under their harsh rule, most humans have become meek slaves to evil, barely existing, the will to fight back is gone. The few humans who have made a truce of sorts with the demons have become traitors to humanity, all in the name of greed. Only one magical race of beings could dare stand and battle against the Dominion, and they are a dying breed. The Majiski, mage warriors were slaughtered enmasse when the Dominion took over, betrayed by those they protected. The few who remained stayed in the shadows, acting as assassins and spies. One such warrior became the driving force to take back the world and drive the demons out. Racath Thanjel saw injustice and fought to give others the strength and will to fight for themselves. His story is being told and recorded in almost hushed tones, long after the battles were over, the deceits uncovered, the traitors revealed.
S. G. Night has truly dazzled me with his epic tale. This is fantasy, dark and foreboding. S. G. Night's ability to paint each scene with such clarity and precision allowed me to envision every detail, playing in 3D in my mind, using all of my senses.
His villains are unquestionably the dregs of the earth, their acts are horrific, graphic and brutal. His heroes are larger than life, the stuff legends are made of, full of heart, able to swallow fear and do what needs to be done.
As far as the main character, Racath, I don't believe I've ever seen a better depiction of that over-the-top kind of champion, because I saw his weakness, his strength, his heart and what he wanted for the world.
Attrition: the First Act of Penance is NOT light reading, it is intense, this isn't an imitation of a different world, Mr. Night started with a blank page and built his world from the ground up, even naming his own days on a calendar he devised. The money system? Same thing. Even the games, although sounding totally familiar, are re-born with new names! Epic is a word I rarely use, but it is the best one to describe this book, and what should prove to be an "epic" series.
If you've ever considered looking into dark fantasy, and asked me what I would recommend, this would be it! I WILL definitely read more from this author, so he better be writing fast!"
Attrition: the First Act of Penance
S.G. Night
September 5, 2013
--ATTRITION: THE FIRST ACT OF PENANCE--
--ATTRITION: THE FIRST ACT OF PENANCE--: Attrition: The First Act of Penance (The Three Acts of...
August 16, 2013
The recently printed semi-final manuscript for Attrition. All...
The recently printed semi-final manuscript forAttrition.All that’s left to do before publishing is one last round of edits.
Readers, meet the nation of Io. Rainy, mountainous, full of...
Readers, meet the nation of Io. Rainy, mountainous, full of diversity and culture, and currently ruled over by a collective of hellspawned Demons.
Thanks to the work of my wonderful artist, Nick Hintze, here are...
Character concept for the central character, Racath Thanjel.
Just for reference, his name is pronounced with a long-A: "RAY-kath"
Character concept for Nelle Aritas
Character concept for the narrator of the story: Saccarri, the Penitent God
Character concept for Rachel Vaveran
Character concept for Notak et sine Nominé
Character concept for Alexis Vylis
Thanks to the work of my wonderful artist, Nick Hintze, here are some of the concept artwork for the characters.
Racath Thanjel
Nelle Ari...
ROBOTS OR DINOSAURS?
Cyborg dinosaurs; is this even up for discussion?
Ember and Ink
The blog of young sci-fi/fantasy writer SG Night, author of ATTRITION: THE FIRST ACT OF PENANCE
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