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Midnight Quest
Jewel Jomadd is not a likely heroine for any tale. She's not a warrior, has no magical abilities, and the only weapon she has is her sharp tongue. To make matters worse, she's blind. Hardly the qualifications for the leading role. Jewel isn't one for borrowing trouble, and she's never left Belthain Castle in her short nineteen years. But being a Priestess of Elahandra seems to come hand in hand with trouble. As soon as she steps into her position, her goddess gives her an impossible task: go find the missing four crystals that have been lost for the past two hundred years and put them back in place. She would love to know how she became the heroine of some non-existent tale, gallivanting around Evard dodging bounty hunters, Minister lackeys, Daath assassins, irate politicians, and childish gods when all she wanted was normalcy. She really would.
324 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2013
96 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
About the author
Honor Raconteur
61 books834 followersEver since I was a toddler, I have been making up stories. I’d entertain anyone willing to listen to my wild fantasies about unicorns and gargoyles and amazing people. At 13, I started writing the stories down. At 23, I finished the first book that was, in my opinion, good enough to publish.
I spent three years trying to publish my book, Jaunten, the old fashioned way. The problem was my story was outside of the norm for young adult fantasy – it didn’t have vampires or the supernatural in it, it was clean enough to earn a PG rating, and there wasn’t any dark overlord to defeat. No literary agent would pick it up because it didn’t fit the “fantasy formula” that all of the popular books did.
I put the idea of having my book published off to the side for a while as I finished a Bachelors in English at Middle Tennessee State University. But as I worked on my third degree, the idea of being published came back to me. This time, while working as a paralegal, I had a better grasp of the laws involved of doing self-publishing. For six months, I did a great deal of research in how to do self-publishing the debt-free way.
It was hard. I was working full time, going to school full time, and living on my own. I never really had a break. I was always working on something. At times I felt like my brain would just go into meltdown from having to learn so many different things to make my idea work.
After six months, I thought I knew enough to publish myself. I put Jaunten out as an ebook, created a website and forum so that fans could communicate with me, and spread the word as best I could. Within three months, I was selling internationally. Within six months, I was making enough to quit my day job and sit at home, writing full time.
After six months of writing, publishing, and building up a reputation, I started to be approached by other people wanting to emulate what I did. I soon realized that there was a niche out there waiting for me to fill it—a place where original fiction could be published and released into the world. As of February 2012, I started my own publishing house, called Raconteur House. Since that point I have signed on four additional authors (not including yours truly) and am attracting more in a steady stream.
I have continued to write and publish the rest of the series through my House. When I’m not writing or editing, I like to go out into the community and give presentations of how to be an author. It’s actually really fun to talk to all of these people who want to be authors. Most people think that you can’t make any money being an author—actually, you can. And you can do quite well. It’s just a matter of working really hard, having a little talent, and knowing how to market your books. All I’m doing with these presentations is giving people the know-how to make their dreams come true.
While it’s true that you don’t need a college education to be an author, I encourage everyone to be as educated as possible. I have a lot of experience and education that most people don’t, and that’s what gives me an edge in writing. I’ve lived in places as obscure as Tehachapi, California and other places as large as Salt Lake City, Utah. I hold three different college degrees. I practice two different martial arts. I think I’ve tried every life experience that came my direction. All of that is incorporated into my books, and that’s what gives reality to my worlds and characters.
Even if I abruptly stop selling books tomorrow—which I don’t see happening—I would still continue to write. Creating characters and worlds is that much fun. Once you start, you become quickly addicted.
I spent three years trying to publish my book, Jaunten, the old fashioned way. The problem was my story was outside of the norm for young adult fantasy – it didn’t have vampires or the supernatural in it, it was clean enough to earn a PG rating, and there wasn’t any dark overlord to defeat. No literary agent would pick it up because it didn’t fit the “fantasy formula” that all of the popular books did.
I put the idea of having my book published off to the side for a while as I finished a Bachelors in English at Middle Tennessee State University. But as I worked on my third degree, the idea of being published came back to me. This time, while working as a paralegal, I had a better grasp of the laws involved of doing self-publishing. For six months, I did a great deal of research in how to do self-publishing the debt-free way.
It was hard. I was working full time, going to school full time, and living on my own. I never really had a break. I was always working on something. At times I felt like my brain would just go into meltdown from having to learn so many different things to make my idea work.
After six months, I thought I knew enough to publish myself. I put Jaunten out as an ebook, created a website and forum so that fans could communicate with me, and spread the word as best I could. Within three months, I was selling internationally. Within six months, I was making enough to quit my day job and sit at home, writing full time.
After six months of writing, publishing, and building up a reputation, I started to be approached by other people wanting to emulate what I did. I soon realized that there was a niche out there waiting for me to fill it—a place where original fiction could be published and released into the world. As of February 2012, I started my own publishing house, called Raconteur House. Since that point I have signed on four additional authors (not including yours truly) and am attracting more in a steady stream.
I have continued to write and publish the rest of the series through my House. When I’m not writing or editing, I like to go out into the community and give presentations of how to be an author. It’s actually really fun to talk to all of these people who want to be authors. Most people think that you can’t make any money being an author—actually, you can. And you can do quite well. It’s just a matter of working really hard, having a little talent, and knowing how to market your books. All I’m doing with these presentations is giving people the know-how to make their dreams come true.
While it’s true that you don’t need a college education to be an author, I encourage everyone to be as educated as possible. I have a lot of experience and education that most people don’t, and that’s what gives me an edge in writing. I’ve lived in places as obscure as Tehachapi, California and other places as large as Salt Lake City, Utah. I hold three different college degrees. I practice two different martial arts. I think I’ve tried every life experience that came my direction. All of that is incorporated into my books, and that’s what gives reality to my worlds and characters.
Even if I abruptly stop selling books tomorrow—which I don’t see happening—I would still continue to write. Creating characters and worlds is that much fun. Once you start, you become quickly addicted.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 28, 2020
I have such mixed feelings about this book. But honestly, that is often the case with Ms. Raconteur's work. Interesting characters, but not fully developed. Things went way too easily on this quest. All dangers and obstacles were dispatched so quickly that it really felt like there wasn't enough conflict to classify this as a quest rather than just a trip. If you want this sort of trip done right, check out T. Kingfisher's Clockwork Boys. This is, I think, an early book of hers so many of the issues can be chalked up to that, but it is frustrating to me to see the potential but not have ANY of it realized.
July 25, 2013
An introverts adventure. Kinda anticlimactic. But still sweet and harmless adventure story. Tween and grama friendly. Probably not enough action for the older teen or male readers. Recommend kingslayer instead for that demographic. Kinda expensive. something I could recommend to my mother who is extremely prudish in her literature, but funny/cheeky enough to keep me reading. Skimmed a little bit on some pov's. I think too many pov's spoil the book personally. Pick 2 or 3 tops. 4 is just too many to care about.
August 29, 2020
I enjoyed this for what it is - a lighthearted fantasy adventure. The romantic notes were hit correctly, the story telling from the point of view of a blind woman (particularly in some of the action scenes) were well done, and in the end good triumphed over chaos.
So, the next time you're looking for a story about bickering gods, good-for-nothing politicians, and a country-roaming adventure that you know will end on a high note, knock this one back.
So, the next time you're looking for a story about bickering gods, good-for-nothing politicians, and a country-roaming adventure that you know will end on a high note, knock this one back.
July 30, 2023
Enthralling
A blind priestess, 3 guardsmen, one a soldier, one a sworn guard to the priestess and her goddess, one a merchant with smuggler friends, an enormous guard dog and an almost impossible quest are served up to us, the readers in the most delightful way. Along the way hardships will be overcome, friendships made, battles fought and love found. So grab a copy of this delightful book and test your boundaries and worth along with our heroines and heroes. This is a tale to make your heart thump and your spirit soar. Will you go a Midnight Questing when the goddess calls or go back to sleep.
A blind priestess, 3 guardsmen, one a soldier, one a sworn guard to the priestess and her goddess, one a merchant with smuggler friends, an enormous guard dog and an almost impossible quest are served up to us, the readers in the most delightful way. Along the way hardships will be overcome, friendships made, battles fought and love found. So grab a copy of this delightful book and test your boundaries and worth along with our heroines and heroes. This is a tale to make your heart thump and your spirit soar. Will you go a Midnight Questing when the goddess calls or go back to sleep.
May 29, 2020
Sort of boring; the main,character was not likable.
This book had potential, but it was too repetitive; just the priestess and her body guards finding different crystals and changing their positions so they could be realigned and recharge the barrier. This didn't seem to be very difficult. All of the men in the book that were on the quest with the head priestess ( Jewell ) were very likable, but Jewell was just a crybaby. Sure she was blind, but she complained about everything; it was too noisy or windy or dusty, and she needed a bath and she couldn;t ride a horse by herself until more than halfway through the book. I hope there won't be any more of these books, but if there are just leave Jewell out of them and write about the men only.
This book had potential, but it was too repetitive; just the priestess and her body guards finding different crystals and changing their positions so they could be realigned and recharge the barrier. This didn't seem to be very difficult. All of the men in the book that were on the quest with the head priestess ( Jewell ) were very likable, but Jewell was just a crybaby. Sure she was blind, but she complained about everything; it was too noisy or windy or dusty, and she needed a bath and she couldn;t ride a horse by herself until more than halfway through the book. I hope there won't be any more of these books, but if there are just leave Jewell out of them and write about the men only.
May 24, 2022
fantasy action novel
Honor Raconteur’s strengths lie in writing interesting action novels and unique characters. I wish there was more emotional development in the characters. Midnight Quest also ends so abruptly that I’m left wondering about some of the side characters and what will happen with them.
Honor Raconteur’s strengths lie in writing interesting action novels and unique characters. I wish there was more emotional development in the characters. Midnight Quest also ends so abruptly that I’m left wondering about some of the side characters and what will happen with them.
March 31, 2021
Good fantasy with worthy plot and likeable characters
I loved that, although the protagonist is blind, petite and young, she is intelligent and capable. Well plotted and executed. Hated to leave this world.
I loved that, although the protagonist is blind, petite and young, she is intelligent and capable. Well plotted and executed. Hated to leave this world.
September 9, 2021
She has done it again
Really enjoyed this book. Character development is great even to the dialects. Lots of action and intrigue yet a great love story too. Highly recommend this book.
Really enjoyed this book. Character development is great even to the dialects. Lots of action and intrigue yet a great love story too. Highly recommend this book.
May 28, 2022
Awesome quest!
Great characters, fun comradeship, a definite purpose, and a really smart dog. Lots of travel, avoiding and fighting assassins, laughter and miracles. I enjoyed it very much.
Great characters, fun comradeship, a definite purpose, and a really smart dog. Lots of travel, avoiding and fighting assassins, laughter and miracles. I enjoyed it very much.
December 11, 2022
Great story!
Loved all the characters. Interaction between them and their Gods was funny. Loved the dog 😊. Lots of action with traveling and fighting and lets not forget romance. Good storyline 😊
Loved all the characters. Interaction between them and their Gods was funny. Loved the dog 😊. Lots of action with traveling and fighting and lets not forget romance. Good storyline 😊
March 15, 2023
Good adventure, easy
Easy reading. Action and adventure. Not gory. Story rested on strength of the characters in various situations. Jewel showed how a perceived handicap can be a strength. Easy story.
Easy reading. Action and adventure. Not gory. Story rested on strength of the characters in various situations. Jewel showed how a perceived handicap can be a strength. Easy story.
January 8, 2024
Excellent
I wanted there to be more! Don’t get me wrong, the story is complete, but I could happily spend more time in this world. I fell in love with the characters. The plot was well done. The pacing was excellent. Yeah, this one is a keeper. I look forward to re-reading it.
I wanted there to be more! Don’t get me wrong, the story is complete, but I could happily spend more time in this world. I fell in love with the characters. The plot was well done. The pacing was excellent. Yeah, this one is a keeper. I look forward to re-reading it.
January 16, 2020
This was a cute and entertaining story but not very surprising, there is not cliffhanger or plot twist, every issue finds a solution quite easily, we don't see consequences for those who did wrong. I do love the characters and their banter.
So, like I said it's cute and entertaining but it's not exactly mind blowing (I was exactly surprised at the ending, I was still really into the story, I turned my page and there was nothing else, it was the end, I was so surprised and disappointed to not have more).
So, like I said it's cute and entertaining but it's not exactly mind blowing (I was exactly surprised at the ending, I was still really into the story, I turned my page and there was nothing else, it was the end, I was so surprised and disappointed to not have more).
July 30, 2020
Nice tale
The ending seemed a little rushed, I loved the different cultures and Gods. Wish there was a sequel, maybe about the other priestesses.
The ending seemed a little rushed, I loved the different cultures and Gods. Wish there was a sequel, maybe about the other priestesses.
February 22, 2021
Entrancing read
Wonderful world with interesting characters and challenges. Although there is a common theme in each task, they are very different.
Wonderful world with interesting characters and challenges. Although there is a common theme in each task, they are very different.
June 23, 2022
Fun adventure story. I enjoy Raconteur's writing style and her character development in this novel.
July 16, 2022
A fun read. Highly recommended.
February 13, 2024
Low tension action adventure - quite enjoyable
June 16, 2024
Fun sweet completely unrealistic story.
January 30, 2020
Finding The Crystals
Jewel and Railt have a Destiny even before they met. He and three other armsmen are called by a Goddess to rescue and protect her. Recently called to be a High Priestess, Jewel runs afoul of the political powers that be and is imprisoned for not breaking her oath to protect everyone. I like the humor and tender romance.
Jewel and Railt have a Destiny even before they met. He and three other armsmen are called by a Goddess to rescue and protect her. Recently called to be a High Priestess, Jewel runs afoul of the political powers that be and is imprisoned for not breaking her oath to protect everyone. I like the humor and tender romance.
January 10, 2015
I would have liked a bit more action, but the character development and the way they have different voices and are so distinct was excellent.
September 10, 2018
Fun and interesting book. Pretty lighthearted story. I enjoyed it.
May 15, 2019
Entertaining and unique. The main protagonist is blind which means her narration is interesting, relying on other senses to puzzle out the world.
September 12, 2019
extra 1/2 star
January 8, 2025
Adventure light. Fun, humorous, entertaining, benign, important mission with a drop of danger.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews