The Game of War

Chronicles of Chaos #0

by Glen Dahlgren

❖ Readers' Favorite Gold Medalist
❖ Dante Rossetti Award Winner
❖ IAN Book of the Year Winner

Never meet your heroes. Especially if they're dead.

One such hero is Dantess' grandfather, a priest of War whose legend was born from a lifetime of glorious battles. Every day, fifteen-year-old Dantess trains to be just like his idol, hoping to join War's temple.

Only, his father sees the temple not as a hero's forge, but a grinder of idealistic souls like his son's. He forbids Dantess entry, but one rebellious act lands his father inside, a prisoner of the very god he despises.

Now Dantess faces a gut-wrenching choice: watch his father rot in War's dungeon, or become the monster his father fears—a priest whose extraordinary powers come from the God of War himself. Using those abilities in the temple's brutal arena, the Game of War, is the only path to freedom.

Dreams of glory curdle into a reality of blood and betrayal. Visions of his dead grandfather whisper dark secrets, twisting the priest's legacy into a web of lies. Can Dantess forge his own path or will his grandfather's hidden darkness claim him too?

If you like your epic young adult fantasy with a real edge, enter the Game of War, where Shadow and Bone meets the Game of Thrones in a heart-pounding battle for survival. Anyone craving action, magic, and a hero pushed to the brink should begin their journey today.


Here's what readers are saying:

★★★★★ "The Game of War is one hell of an action-packed thrill ride... It's a heartfelt origin story, a gut-wrenching coming of age, and an exceptional character-driven epic fantasy. I loved this book." —Cully Mack, Author of A Voice that Thunders

★★★★★ "A superb fantasy novel. Any fantasy reader [will] completely submerge themselves in the pages just to break the surface, addicted, needing more." —Readers' Favorite Review

★★★★★ "A brilliantly executed prequel. The Game of War is a mighty tome that builds a solid foundation for the rest of the Chaos universe." —Indies Today Review

★★★★★ "[The Game of War] is an exciting and fast-paced story packed with extended sequences that would be right at home in a Steven Spielberg movie. At the end, I was left wanting more, much more." —Josh Mandel, Award-winning designer of Spider Robinson's Callahan's Crosstime Saloon

★★★★★ "A dark, immersive, and brand new take on a hero's journey. Dantess' story will keep you reading until the sun comes up!" —Lily Luchesi, USA Today Bestselling Author

★★★★★ "Game of War is riveting and compelling. Introducing new, fascinating characters, adventures and relationships, Glen Dahlgren weaves another magical book that is a must-read for any fan of fantasy literature." —Barbara Blackburn, Knights of the Dinner Table

★★★★★ "Glen Dahlgren has mastered the art of storytelling." —Jenni Clarke, Author of Colours of Rain


The Complete Chronicles of Chaos series

The critically-acclaimed designer behind Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" game, delivers a fantasy series hailed as "what fantasy fiction should be" (New York Times Bestselling author Piers Anthony).

Winner of the Reader's Favorite Gold Medal, the American Fiction award, and the IAN Best Book of the Year award, the Chronicles of Chaos is Epic YA Fantasy at its best.

★★★★★ "The Chronicles of Chaos is a superb fantasy series from a masterful storyteller who artfully sends relatable heroes into a war with the gods. A mythic, magical world not to be missed!"
—Cully Mack, author of A Voice that Thunders

★★★★★ "The Chronicles of Chaos is a series that grabs you from the start and doesn't let you go. The characters are great, the story is entertaining and twisty, and the world is unique."
—E. G. Stone, author of The Innocence of Death

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

339 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2021

About the author

Glen Dahlgren is the multi-award-winning author of the acclaimed Chronicles of Chaos series, winner of the Chanticleer Dante Rossetti Grand Prize for Young Adult Fiction, multiple Readers’ Favorite Gold Medals, the American Fiction Award, and Independent Author Network Book of the Year honors. His epic fantasy saga has been hailed as “what fantasy fiction should be” by New York Times bestselling legend Piers Anthony.

Before turning to novels, Glen spent three decades writing, designing, and directing critically acclaimed narrative-driven video games. In that role, he crafted original fantasy and science-fiction storylines and collaborated with some of the most celebrated authors in the genre, including Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (Death Gate Cycle), Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time), Frederik Pohl (the Heechee Saga), Terry Brooks (Shannara), and Piers Anthony (Xanth). He also created licensor-approved fiction for Star Trek and Stan Sakai’s iconic Usagi Yojimbo.

Glen now applies his lifelong passion for worldbuilding and character-driven storytelling to novels beloved by award committees and readers alike.

Reviews

[Andrews WizardlyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

When this book shines it really shines! Dantess is a great protagonist and I love how he struggles to remain pure to his core in a world of corruption. He is loyal, steadfast, and an unwavering friend. I would go so far as to say he is an idealist. At times this can lead to the reader finding him to be incredibly naive at times.

His worldview doesn't match the reality of his situation. I feel this makes him special in a world of corruption. He is also hardheaded though. Many times during the story he is told something multiple times and then acts shocked when things go exactly how his elders warned him it would.

That said when the book stumbles it’s frustrating. There are plot contrivances and tropes throughout. The third part of this book should not have even really happened. The entire story is about pointless bullying and having the protagonist win only to constantly lose because of REASONS

Parts one and two I really enjoyed but part three ruined it for me and by part four I was ambivalent. Dantess has lost to much in the story for it to really come out right. In the end it feels like the Dantess cant catch a break and all of his hard-won victories mean nothing because the bullies will always win.

The final confrontation felt like a cheap victory, and the antagonist was almost cartoonish in his childish jealousy and hatred of Dantess.

The book feels rather episodic at times so when we get a win it turns around at the beginning of the next part to be a loss.

[Charles Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bottom line: A wonderful prequel to the "Child of Chaos" that surpasses it in many aspects.

Author Glen Dahlgren clearly shows that his strong debut novel "The Child of Chaos" was not a fluke with an even better "The Game of War" that takes place earlier in time.

In "The Game of War" we follow the main character Dantess in a coming-of-age story as he quickly matures due to multiple difficulties. Although the story has a strong action oriented bent to it, where it excels is the difficult choices he must make in his very quick journey to adulthood.

Dahlgren’s writing style is one that often cuts to the chase with little fluff or side stories making the novel really fly. In fact, readers at times may almost feel like they are reading a movie screenplay which makes this a great choice for YA fans. The middle section which details the actual Game of War that Dantess must take part in was especially riveting and hard to put down. Multiple times the story did take a surprising turn including some that were extremely tragic. This kept me on my toes from the start.

Unlike the “Child of Chaos” this novel has toned down the graphic violence. Instead, other serious subjects are broached including a critical section about the struggle a female protagonist faces. The novel also does an outstanding job at covering the challenges of friendships, falling in love, family history, and charting your own course. Hopefully it will lead to some healthy discussions between parents and kids.

5 Stars.

Note, I received an Advanced Review Copy.

[Tilmer Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ran into Glen Dahlgren at a book event in Miami. After speaking to him and hearing the passion he has for his work, along with some details about his stories, I was sure his writing was something I should investigate. I found The Game of War, the first book in The Chronicles of Chaos series, among the Amazon Prime Kindle free selections for the month. I downloaded the book and dove right in.

I was not disappointed.

I love character-driven stories. Dantess, the main protagonist in The Game of War, is one of the best, well-rounded, believable, and (this is important) consistent characters I have encountered in fiction in a very long time. The book is the origin story for this character, who appears in the second book of the series, The Child of Chaos. (Can’t wait to read that one!) At every turn (and there are many) Dantess is true to himself. You may not expect things to happen just the way they do, but you are never surprised by how Dantess reacts and adapts to events that swirl around him. He’s a terrific character. He’s not alone. Dahlgren surrounds Dantess with a supporting cast with equally intriguing depth and diversity that really makes for a great foundation.

The other thing I like about this book is that it’s not a “happy path” kind of story. Life is not always easy for Dantess, or the other characters in the book. Heartache, tragedy, and peril live side-by-side with triumph and joy. As a result, there’s a great sense of realism as you immerse yourself in the universe that Dahlgren has crafted. Sure, you know that Dantess survives to the final page because he exists in the next installment, but that doesn’t keep you from feeling the tension generated by perilous situations he encounters along the way. On more than one occasion, I found myself anxious to turn the page, wondering how, or even if, Dantess would survive his latest challenge.

The story is complex, with multiple arcs that involve a diverse population of characters, but it never gets convoluted. Dahlgren is an absolute master at managing timelines and cause-and-effect dynamics. The book is cohesive and satisfying for even the most discriminating reader. I absolutely loved this book. Technically, the book is in the YA Fantasy genre, but I’m confident that anyone at any age looking for a great read will find this story engaging.

[Lee Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review of the book. I will purchase this book when it is released in print. This is the second book for this author I've reviewed, first reviewing the book for which this is sort of a prequel, Child of Chaos.

One of the secondary characters in Child of Chaos is Dantess, a high ranking priest of War. In The Game of War, the book focuses on a young Dantess, who wants to follow in the footsteps of his dead grandfather, who was a legendary priest of War, despite conflict with his father over the matter. Events over problems with tithing for family friends explode, involving Dantess and his father, leading to the arrest of his father and family friends, to be turned over to Evil. Dantess agrees to serve as a priest of War, in order to attempt to free his father and family friends. In the course of his service, Dantess learns family secrets for both his father and his grandfather that change his feelings on his legacy. Dantess learns of a greater conflict, and serves the god War admirably in the Game of War.

Mr. Dahlgren develops excellent characters, which really draws me into his writing. His descriptions of the locations tend to be a little spartan, which for many is fine, in that they allow their imaginations to fill in the details. I would like a little more description of places where multiple or special scenes take place, to give them proper context. Each of his books is complete within itself, having told a complete story. He does not have an artificial stop point in a story, with the plot still actively engaged, triggered by page count. This book is free of gratuitous violence, despite being about war and describing a series of personal conflicts. Any violent scenes within the book serve to advance the narrative and have a purpose other than sensationalizing violence. I don't recall any strong language or sexual content. The books do address social inequality based upon economic status, and the separation of families by enslavement. I strongly recommend this for a family or class reading together, as it does serve to promote the values of working hard toward goals, social inclusiveness, finding value in others outside of their social status, and the value of study and personal investment in one's education. I would eagerly read this with my child, foster child, grandchild, nephew or niece, and would consider it an appropriate gift for them to enjoy.

[E.G. Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all book series need to be connected in every way. Sometimes, it’s fun to just explore the same universe, spend time with a side character from a different book, see how the magic and the world evolve. Such is the way with Glen Dahlgren’s The Game of War, which is both book two in his series and a prequel to A Child of Chaos, which I loved.

1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Dantess, a priest of war, in his quest to earn enough clout to free his father from War’s prisons. In the midst of his journey, he becomes a great squad leader who participates in the once-in-a-lifetime Game of War, a challenge to see who is the best among the priests and therefore worthy of guarding the Conclave of the Divine. Only, not everthing with the priests and the temples is as it seems.
I really like how this plot turned out. Dantess has such a fascinating backstory for a priest. It almost feels like a reluctant hero situation, but not quite, because he embraces his role quite readily, even eagerly. The circumstances surrounding his role, though, are not at all what a normal priest would expect and that, I think, is what makes this story so fascinating.

2. Thoughts on the characters
As with the first book in the series, the characters here are both varied and deep enough to feel real. Dantess is a great main character, but many of the side characters are just as interesting. I really enjoyed exploring all the different people, their various motivations and resulting actions. I think they were done very well. Except Kevik. He deserved what he got.

3. Favourite part
I think, honestly, the ending was probably my favourite part because it combined everything that we’d seen in the story thus far, even the pieces that were contradictory, and did so in such a way that I could not stop reading until I finished the book. Well done!

4. Critique
My only critique is the situation with Jyn. Why?! That just…nooo!

Overall, I would say that The Game of War was an excellent continuation in the series and I absolutely would recommend this book.

[Cully Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story with a stand out protagonist!

For anyone who read my review of The Child of Chaos, you’ll know I was not a fan of the original cover (love, love, love the new one!) or the level of graphic violence (although brilliantly written) in a book which was pitched at a YA audience.
What I did love was the writing, the world-building and… Dantess. To say I was excited to read The Game of War featuring Dantess before his appearance in The Child of Chaos was an understatement. So, did the book and Dantess hold up?
A big fat whopping, yes! The Game of War is one hell of an action-packed thrill ride.

At its core, The Game of War is about a son striving to save his father and a father trying to protect his son. We find Dantess in his youth, alongside his friend, Jyn, and her brother, Warren, as they embark on a quest into the heart of myth, magic and war to save their parents from becoming slaves in the Temple of Evil. Entangled in the twists and turns of friendship, betrayal, love, and loss, secrets are revealed, forcing Dantess to discover his true destiny.

One of this novel’s unique features was its mythology. I love myth, so when a book not only offers something different but excels by embedding an intriguing mythos into its governing, economic and cultural constructs, I get excited. In this world, you are either chosen or faithless, blessed to enforce the rules, or destined to serve them. There’s not much else I can say without spoilers. Suffice to say, there’s no half-hearted tick box mythos here, only a fascinating additional layer to an already riveting story.

Which brings me onto the plot! It’s page-turning. A fast-paced, high stakes adventure in which Dantess’ skill in the Game of War is only superseded by his sense of honour.
Did I mention the pirates? It has pirates… and sea battles, and secret islands, and Harbingers of Chaos, and… and… the amazingly written but despicable, Kevik. I’m not sure I’ve ever despised an antagonist as much as this ruthless priest of war and that’s saying something after reading Horace!

Overall, I loved this book. It’s a heartfelt origin story, a gut-wrenching coming of age, and an exceptional character-driven epic fantasy which in many ways surpasses The Child of Chaos. The Game of War is pitched perfectly for a YA audience, balancing the line between intensity and conflict without delving into gratuitous violence.
Be warned, The Game of War will leave you with a long and enduring book hangover.

I received an ARC copy and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Katherine E. Soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Game of War by Glen Dahlgren
Review by Katherine E. Soto
Once again this author has written an adventure that keeps the reader’s interest in turning those pages until the end of the book wanting to see what happens next. Dantess, the main character, is swept into the Temple of War trying to do what is right. Somehow it all ends up wrong as he faces obstacles within his path of trying to save what he holds to be most valuable.
Based in the world from Child of Chaos this book takes you into the prehistory of Dantess the Great War God warrior and his beginnings in the War Temple. The reader learns more about the world in which these characters live and what the Temple of War is truly like on the inside.
Of course, a few friends are at Dantess’ side as he adventures forth. Warren and Jyn, two kids who go with Dantess to the Temple of war, Jyn’s Mother and even Dantess’ father manage to get involved in the chaotic adventures played out. As always, the enemies Dantess makes are not very nice as they create several more problems for him to solve and make attempts on his life for various nefarious reasons.
This book is a standalone with its own characters based in the world from Child of Chaos. It is a prequel book to Dahlgren’s previous book. There are many twists and turns the author can take to bring more or this world and his writings to his readers. I sincerely hope he does.

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Game of War is a brilliant prequel to Chil of Chaos (which I cannot wait to read). It really had moments I was hooked and from the start I knew I would rush to finish this one. I really enjoyed the protagonists and while the idea of the teen wanting to follow in the footsteps of a family member is not exactly a new trope it was done really well here.
For me the thing I enjoyed the most was the writing which brought the world to life, added twists, turns, magic and action. On top of this the characters are really well written which means you get invested easily into their stories and struggles. I really liked the friendship and relationships between the main characters to boot. I can also say that the ‘bad guy’ was really well written because I literally ended up hating him, yes hating him.
This is a perfect start to a series and perfect for those who have enjoyed Percy Jackson and the like but are not yet old enough for an epic like Game of Thrones.

[M. Vess · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Game of War is a fantastic story full of wonderful characters and rich worldbuilding. The main character, Dauntess, and his two friends Jyn and Warren, must test at the Temple of War as a means to save their parents who were captured during a local rebel uprising. Dauntess hopes by becoming a Priest he can earn the rank to release their parents. One Priest of war has it out for them, and everything Dauntess does to try and save their parents seems to make things worse and worse. Dauntess’ strained relationship with his father, who is faithless, and his adoration of his grandfather, whom his father despised, complicates everything along the way.

The religions that run this world, War, Peace, Evil and Good, are fascinating. The stark difference between the Priests and the faithless make for great tension throughout the story. The temples exact a tithe from the faithless that keep them at the bottom of the chain, always serving the temples. They are auctioned off as slaves for failure to pay the tithe, or thrown in prison or killed for dissension. The Priests, chosen by the gifts of their Gods, see the faithless as disposable.
As a Priest, Dauntess finds his heart split between the two. The God’s chose him, but he grew up among the faithless and is sympathetic to them, seeing them as people who deserve life and happiness.

Overall I enjoyed this adventure. The story is well paced and written in solid prose.
The Game of War is the prequel novel to The Child of Chaos, which I have not read yet.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

[Carl Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prelude to the book The Chronicles of Chaos, i read an ARC copy of this book. This was a totally different book then it's predecessor and truly showed the growth of Glen in his style of writing and plot outlines. You follow mainly Dantes who's grandfather was a Priest of War and his father who was totally against the Priest of War. Dantes wants to be one in his head, but his heart follows his father and is hesitant.

Fate has a way of choosing for you and it truly did in this novel. Against all odds and for the good of his family and friends his path is chosen by the decisions he makes. With someone you love to hate as his rival and then man you love to love Dantes, his grown and trials and tribulations is truly a page turner.

He struggles with his decisions but is firm in his belief and loyalty to friends and family. This was truly and amazing novel and I was so honored to be part of the ARC review. Starting writing another one Glen I cant wait!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Game of War by Glen Dahlgren is the prequel to the Child of Chaos.

What I loved about this was Glen Dahlgrens style of writing and how the characters and the world they were in were brought to life and allowed us to immerse ourselves in what was going on with them all!


This really was a fast-paced story, full of action, twists, and turns that kept me wanting to turn the page to find out what was going to happen next. Although it is YA Genre it really is suitable for all ages and I'm looking forward to reading Child of Chaos

[Denise Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author at a book signing in Berkeley last year, his enthusiasm and description of the book made me purchase The Game of War. I thought the first part was a bit cheesy but I think that’s due to my own annoyance with teenagers, I think that shows that he did a great job in creating characters that are emblematic of their age. I enjoyed seeing Dantess grow throughout the progression of the storyline and seeing him maintain his humanity by relying on his team during each battle shows the evolution of a great leader in the making. I’m excited to read the next book in the series.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game of War Book by Glen Dahlgren
Book Review by Jenni Clarke

What a great prequel to The Child of Chaos this book is.
This story is filled with description and characters you can’t help but cheer on in their inevitable rotten circumstances. Glen Dahlgren has created an interesting world with order and chaos as characters in the background. A great concept.
The story explores fundamental aspects of human emotions and reactions as well as providing a base for The Child of Chaos.
As with all good fantasy adventures the problems the characters face becoming increasingly impossible to solve and the author does not hesitate to end the lives of characters when needed, so be ready to shout ‘No.’
This is not a sugar-coated fantasy, but a darker side of life with characters to hate and love.
It is a fast-paced novel filled with exciting fight scenes but each one is different and placed where needed, it has not been overdone and the fight scenes are realistic and easy to visualise.
The tension mounts as twists and turns keep the pages turning, and it is hard not to be tempted to read into the night.
There are brief moments of humour and the softer nature of humanity which relieve the relentless darkness and hardship the characters experience.
It took me a few chapters to become lured into the book, but this may be because I’d read The Child of Chaos first.
I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys a young adult dark fantasy read. Be prepared for the desire to read more from this author.
Glen Dahlgren has mastered the art of storytelling.

[Gayreth Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prequel to The Chronicles of Chaos series. We follow Dantess, a character from Child of Chaos book #1 when he was young. His dream is to become a Priest of War like his late grandfather. His father is against war and forbids Dantess to even think about it. So, Dantess must make a life changing decision, to honor his father or follow his dream. However, fate sometimes deals us a hand we have no control over! This is a gripping and fascinating story. Well written, rich in detail with a solid plot and charismatic characters. High in tension, power struggles, with mysteries and secrets revealed. Oh, and a villain you will love to hate! A truly unique page turner. Enthralling and entertaining!

[David Wallin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exquisitely written tale of fantasy literature;
The Game of War weaves a unique world of cruel gods,
tyrannical priests, and oppressed faithless.
The book flows eloquently;
capturing the reader's heart and mind from beginning to end.
The Game of War is an outstanding prequel to Glen Dahlgren's The Child of Chaos.

[Janet Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Game of War gives a lot of interesting background information. Glen Dahlgren does a good job narrating his books. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Josh Mandel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glen Dahlgren is a natural-born storyteller.

Perhaps it’s his extensive history as a computer game designer and writer that helped him hone his storytelling skills -- telling a compelling story in an interactive game is a trial by fire, because the author has so much less control over the pacing and narrative flow. But how Glen came about his talent is beside the point. He knows how to write a gripping, marvelously imaginative adventure; it had me staying up past 3am just to see what happens next. And I’m not even the target audience.

The Game of War conjures up a world both savage and solemn. The story begins with Dantess, a lower-class boy who dares not dream of greatness. What follows is a coming-of-age story touching on themes of responsibility to one’s family and the expectations of a cruel, starkly-drawn caste society. But despite its complex underpinnings, it is an exciting and fast-paced story packed with extended sequences that would be right at home in a Steven Spielberg movie.

At the end, I was left wanting more, much more. Not that the book felt in any way incomplete; rather, I wanted to explore this perilously magical world at greater length. Fortunately, “more” exists in The Child of Chaos, Glen Dahlgren’s first book, of which The Game of War is a prequel. Anyone who hasn’t read The Child of Chaos is going to want to snatch it up after devouring The Game of War…or visa-versa.

Here’s to hoping there’s a third book in the Chronicles of Chaos series!

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing adventure this was.

The characters were amazing. I loved the connection I felt through Dantess and the love and affection he showed everyone in his life. He was a strong warrior with a huge heart and that's what made me love this character so much.

The storyline was incredible. The way the author weaved this tale kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. It's very well written and extremely addictive. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. It's a wonderful story full of many lessons to be learned throughout this story and I highly recommend it.

[Corinne Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved listening to this audiobook! The author took on the role of narrator, which always leaves me a smidge suspect, but Glen Dahlgren did a wonderful job voicing each of the characters.

This story takes place prior to his Child of Chaos series, and what I liked about my intro to this was that I handy read Child of Chaos yet! Now, listening to CoC, it’s great seeing Dauntess’ background!

This is a high, epic fantasy novel in a land governed by the Gods Of Order. There are those who are lucky enough to be chosen by the gods to serve in their temples as priests, and then there are faithless.

It’s a great adventure of one priest’s struggle to free his faithless father from prison, while also being a solid commentary on class systems, religion, morality, right and wrong, and the strength of love.

Engaging, action-packed, and well-crafted, I highly recommend this book (and the series!) to readers of Percy Jackson, The Wheel of Time, The Sword of Truth.

[Toni Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooooh this was an awesome read 🤩 I do love a good fantasy story with God theme and feel Glen Dahlgren has written a unique and compelling one.
Our main character Dantess is only 15 years old and we learn from the start that he wants to follow in his legendary grandfathers footsteps and become a Priest of War - even though his father is against this…
But circumstances see Dantess having no choice but to take the test and join them along with his best friend Jyn and her little brother Warren.
I really enjoyed most of the characters in this book they were very well written - especially the villain I despised him with a passion and I was eagerly awaiting his comeuppance!!
Dantess faces so much in this book and is dealt with so many challenges to overcome.
There was only one part I didn’t like in this story and honestly felt like it just wasn’t necessary and it really annoyed me 😅 trust me you’ll know when it comes!
That being said, I absolutely devoured this book in one day and cannot wait to read ‘Child of Chaos’

[Gregory Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[Kristel Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this audiobook for review.

🌟🌟🌟🌟Dantess wants to follow in his esteemed deceased grandfather’s footsteps, and become a renowned Priest of War. However, Dantess' father, Tolliver, a humble store owner, disagrees and is determined to keep Dantess away from War's Temple. Tolliver's opposition to War lands him in prison. To help get his father and others release,, Dantess enlists the help of his best friend Jyn and her little brother Warren. Their only option is to compete to become a Priest of War to try secure their family’s freedom from the inside. Dantess is the only one who qualifies as a Priest, and Warren and Jyn end up as Faithless and are bound to service in the temple. To advance in the Priest ranks, Dantess decides to take part in the Temple's deadliest quest – the Game of War.


Dantess' plans to save his loved ones have unforeseen consequences for him and those around him. As he journeys into unknown territories and meets those who have had horrifying dealings with War and its Priests, Dantess' magical abilities will plague him with the unspeakable past deeds of his grandfather and force him to uncover shocking revelations about the Temple of War. When Dantess faces one challenge after another, will he be able to continue his quest for justice for the Faithless, or will his troubled mind crumble under the pressures that surround him?


This story has a bit of everything. It is a coming-of-age tale for Dantess, featuring fascinating and creative world-building, an intriguing mystery at its core, swashbuckling journeys with pirates, an epic puzzle-solving quest, and thrilling magical elements that tie all the other aspects together. Dantess is an interesting character as he transitions from a blindly devoted follower of his grandfather's legend with aspirations to be a Priest of War to having his eyes opened and forging a new path for himself. Additionally, I enjoyed the audiobook narration, which added depth to the story, and I was surprised how quickly I grew attached to the characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Christopher Mallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

Game of War is an engaging story that will leave you wanting more!

I teach children aged 12-14, and this book will be joining Child of Chaos on my classroom shelf.
Prequels are always a tricky proposition. It has to be relevant to the original story so that the audience is interested and invested, but it also has to not contradict the original story. In addition, you have to have real stakes that are not spoiled by the original story.

Glen Dahlgren has managed to write a story that meets and exceeds all expectations of a prequel. While you may have some knowledge of who will survive the book, you are invested enough in the characters that you want them to attain their goals rather than merely surviving.

One thing in particular that stands out for me are the family dynamics. Too often in fiction, family relationships either feel forced, or are stereotypical. Families in this book feel much more natural, where everyone is doing the best they know how to do, following their own beliefs and finding whatever balance they can.

Unlike Child of Chaos, this story has a clear victory condition for the main character. The reader is taken along for a ride as your expectations of how the story will play out are continually changing, without it going so far as being a constant set of subversions. You never feel that the story has tricked you; every change is a natural continuation or has been set up with clues ahead of time. It is a pleasant reading experience, feeling not only surprised by the story but also a little sheepish for missing the clues.

I strongly recommend this book! Ironically, even though it’s the prequel, I feel it’s actually more of a spoiler for Child of Chaos than the other way around, so I suggest reading Child of Chaos first. It stands perfectly fine on its own, however, and you won’t feel lost no matter which book you start with.

[John Gavaler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dantess always wanted to be a Priest of War, hoping to emulate his grandfather who was famous for his exploits combating Chaos. Unlike his grandfather, Dantess's father had only hatred for the Religion of War and the other three governing religions. Accused of being a supporter of Chaos, his
father is thrown into prison. It then becomes Dantess's obsession to find a way to gain his freedom. Dantess sets off on a long and perilous journey to the remote island location of the Temple of Evil where he is being held. Along the way he learns a history of the priests of war much different from what he was taught as a child and he begins to understand his father's hatred. After his arrival at the Temple, the four High Priests who are meeting there come under attack. Dantess must decide whether to fulfill his duty as a Priest of War and join in the defense of the High Priests, or instead to acquiesce to his father's pleading to help break their tyrannical strangle-hold over the world - even at the expense of allowing Chaos to enter the world.
After having written a highly praised first novel, a question Glen Dahlgren needed to answer was could he follow his initial success with a second novel that would merit similarly high praise. With “The Game of War”, where he again demonstrates that he is, indeed, a gifted story-teller, I believe he has answered that question with a resounding “yes”. Famed fantasy author Piers Anthony very early on predicted that (Glen Dahlgren) “will become more widely known as his skill is appreciated”. I believe that prediction is, in fact, now in the process of becoming validated.
(This review was based on a ARC copy of the novel.)

[Peter D'Hollander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel to Glen's first novel: Child of Chaos. The story begins with Dantess and Jyn; two children training. In those first pages we learn a lot of Dantess' father, though the man isn't even present in the scene. It says a lot about the writing capacities of Glen.

The book Game of War is a mixture of Divergence & Harry Potter, but with a sniff of the world-building of LOTR. And yet, it also remains original and loyal to its own world setting - which is why I love this author's books so much.

There is a subtle layer to the story that introduces politics in a way that makes it enjoyable. It forces you to think - to see beyond the obvious. And while this is partly about politics, the book nevertheless speaks to every age, because everyone finds there something for himself in. After all, this is not just the ethical question about good and wrong, but also the struggle between generations. Sounds familiar, right?

I'm not going to tell you what happens, but it's a beautiful journey that takes you into a world with real characters. You learn to love most, and feel bad about a few others. Life isn't black and white - as some would love to make us believe - but more often than not a beautiful hue of grey - and everything in between.

If you are looking for something pleasant to read, this is a book you can trust. Though it's a prequel, you can read it as a stand alone. Glen takes you to a world that invites you in with everything it has. Beautifully crafted characters, fleshed out and real - people that could step out of the story and would fit right in our own world - except maybe for their atire and their swords. This is a fast paced and well written book I enjoyed very much.

[Anya Josephs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dantess was a very compelling protagonist–I can definitely see why he was such a beloved character in the first book. I’m excited to see him interact more with the larger world, but he also made for a great center of attention.

I also loved the worldbuilding in this book! The concept of these bureaucratic temples, each with their own individual cultures–and each run by priests who were originally brought there as, essentially, slaves–is totally fascinating, and it was brilliantly executed, with enough detail to make perfect sense to a reader new to the world but never feeling infodumpy or excessive.

I will say that I didn’t love the author’s prose style. It is very action-forward and matter-of-fact, without as much detail or beautiful prose as I tend to prefer. I think this style would be wonderful for folks who sometimes struggle to get into big fantasy books, though–one of the comps is to Percy Jackson, and I definitely see this style being great for the reluctant readers that series was written to support. Just not for me.

However, the characters and plot were excellent, and I’m really excited to dive into the rest of the series!


See full review: https://wordpress.com/post/anyajoseph...

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Book 1!

This is Book 1 of The Chronicles of Chaos.

I honestly didn't know what to expect with this book but loved the Blurb and the cover artwork.

After reading it, I can say that it isn't what I expected.. it is more!

We first meet Dantess a youngster as we learn about his heritage and his desire to be something more...

Glen also doesn't waste anytime in getting his first early action scene in there tooal!

The one thing that I love about this book (other than the amazing and unique approach to the Temple, Faithless and Priests) was how Glen develops his characters.

We are introduced to them as early teens and the strongly grows with them, us seeing how they have developed and matured with age. It's brilliant to see and something that I look forward to seeing more of in Book 2 and beyond.

Glen has a very unique story to tell as we learn about the different temples, priests and how Glen's world works. If I'm honest it's a bit sad really when you sit down and understand how the civilisations work (or don't work!)

This is a fantastic book of action and fantasy and was a highly enjoyable read!

Highly recommend and I can't wait to read Book 2!

[Yvette Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Game of War: The Trials of Dantess, Warrior Priest by Glen Dahlgren is the prequel in the Chronicles of Chaos series and is so good.

Dantess is 15yo and had always wanted follow in his grandfathers footsteps to become the Priest of War. His grandfather, was a legend for waging war against Chaos. Dantess's father however, hated the Religion of War and its three other governing religions, and he was thrown into prison accused of supporting chaos. Dantess was determined to set his father free.

Dahlgren does an amazing job with world building and he created a world of gods who gave power to the powerful. Dahlgren did an amazing job with narrating his book I was very impressed. This audiobook had my attention from the beginning and you never quite knew what to expect from fighting someone you’ve fought your whole life and knew your every move, to a bookworm who defeated the strongest opponent. I need to go back and read the Child of Chaos and can’t wait to continue with the series. Thank you to Love Book Tours and Glen Dahlgren for letting me listen to this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.


[Gregory Peppers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute MUST read!

Glen Dahlgren set the bar high with his exciting debut novel, The Child of Chaos, but then proceeds to smash that expectation with his even more riveting prequel, The Game of War! From start to finish, it was a rollercoaster of action, emotions and compelling wins and losses. Glen's story telling in this novel finds the delicate balance of violence, compassion, maturity, and innocence that makes this book truly enjoyable for both young and adult fantasy readers.

What I enjoyed most about this story was watching the protagonist grow from an innocent young man, fighting for his friends and family in the shadow of his grandfather's legacy, into a legendary warrior in his own right by taking his own path, even when faced with challenges, each more deadly than the last. The Game of War is another fantastic edition to The Chronicles of Chaos that continues to refine and reveal this unique world of priests, faithless, and the gods of Order verses Chaos. I look forward to future installments!

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worldbuilding is outstanding, the plot was full of action, adventure, character growth, loss, resilience and bravery, and it has creative magic systems and deities.
I love Dantess as a character and it was amazing seeing a focus on his epic journey, embracing his destiny, and everything he endures to try and save his loved ones.
Not only that but the growth of Warren and Jyn too, his friends and allies, and the challenges they faced.
There were some truly heartbreaking moments, the quests and competitions were intense, it's full of high stakes, and has some truly despicable villains.
The concept of the Longing is fascinating and I loved seeing it play out through the plot.

🎧
I am so impressed that not only was this narrated by the author, but the sheer range of voices produced, including some terrifying monsters was incredible. It was so immersive, it kept me hooked, and the character voice range was amazing. I really felt all the emotions play out, and it was engaging from start to finish. Definitely an audiobook you need to listen to!