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Realms of the Periferie #1
Portal Slayer: Path of Deceit
What if the demon to slay was your own? Raelyn Witt's life has imploded. Holding tight to devastating secrets, she's spent a year putting the pieces back together. But when her brother falls victim to a baffling and deadly illness, and desperate for a cure, she puts everything else aside. In her frenzy to find answers, she discovers Alnok, a recently uncovered civilization in the fifth dimension. In a realm filled with towering castles, radiant kingdoms, and a dark history, a malevolent force worms its way into Earth. An enemy bent on destroying, not just her family, but the lives of everyone on Earth. As her brother's condition worsens, and doctors struggle to find a cure, Raelyn joins four others on a quest to break the link between her world and Alnok. But the path isn't always what it seems, and hard choices must be made before they face the enemy of both realms. And Raelyn must battle her own demons, overcome her past, and accept a strength beyond her own to find the path to rescue her brother and protect all of humanity.
- GenresFantasy
330 pages, Hardcover
Published December 3, 2021
About the author
S.L. Dooley
14 books207 followersJ.R.R. Tolkien said: “Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory.” I’m taking him at his word. I’ll journey with Bilbo, take flight on Saphira, and cross swords with King Miraz (as soon as I get my letter from Hogwarts). There’s nothing more satisfying than dipping out of our world for a little while and joining forces with our favorite hero.
Not that I have anything from which I’m desperate to escape: A thirty-year marriage (which is magical in itself since I can’t possibly be old enough to be married that long,) two amazing kiddos, and a great home in north Texas. Plus, after a few side-quests, I’m finally back wielding a keyboard every day battling dragons in my own stories.
But life is an adventure, right? Raising children, navigating friendships, paying bills, rush hour. We wouldn’t storm Mordor without proper preparation and protection, would we? We need armor for our everyday battles. In this case it’s in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where we discover an impenetrable defense. “Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground . . .”
What you’ll find in my stories are the same people who go to work, pay bills, struggle with relationships and self-doubt find themselves transported to worlds beyond their own where a different battle is waged and they must find a way to defeat the enemy. They’re you and me, everyday mortals, who discover there’s more beyond the veil, larger stakes, and a way to overcome it all.
Tolkien sums up what I believe to be the duty of every novelist, but most particularly storytellers of fantasy: “If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?....If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” Find me: https://linktr.ee/SLDooley
Not that I have anything from which I’m desperate to escape: A thirty-year marriage (which is magical in itself since I can’t possibly be old enough to be married that long,) two amazing kiddos, and a great home in north Texas. Plus, after a few side-quests, I’m finally back wielding a keyboard every day battling dragons in my own stories.
But life is an adventure, right? Raising children, navigating friendships, paying bills, rush hour. We wouldn’t storm Mordor without proper preparation and protection, would we? We need armor for our everyday battles. In this case it’s in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where we discover an impenetrable defense. “Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground . . .”
What you’ll find in my stories are the same people who go to work, pay bills, struggle with relationships and self-doubt find themselves transported to worlds beyond their own where a different battle is waged and they must find a way to defeat the enemy. They’re you and me, everyday mortals, who discover there’s more beyond the veil, larger stakes, and a way to overcome it all.
Tolkien sums up what I believe to be the duty of every novelist, but most particularly storytellers of fantasy: “If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?....If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” Find me: https://linktr.ee/SLDooley
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 15, 2024
A good first book to a series!
December 1, 2021
Not Just One Fantasy World, But Many.
With her brother lying gravely ill in an ICU bed, Raelyn will do anything to find a cure.
Anything.
She receives a puzzling note from an enigmatic stranger, and when things get beyond desperate with her brother’s condition, she takes the mysterious Kade up on his offer. The silent carpark of a deserted-looking factory is more than it seems.
Along with two new companions, Gabe and Joshua, Raelyn discovers the way to the fifth dimension, transporting them into the Periferie — worlds existing in parallel with our world, Earth Apparent.
Raelyn, Avery, and Jinny form the Cord, and each has a loved one to save in Earth Apparent. They are gifted with a weapon, unusual and imaginative, and specific to them. Kade, who emits a glow and continues to be enigmatic, is their mentor.
This novel is a captivating story in a fantasy realm that comprises many worlds. Dooley’s beautiful descriptions take the reader through varied terrains, species, communities, and intriguing buildings. Her realistic characters learn to trust each other, relying on each other’s talents to survive. Dooley had me rooting for their cause and hoping Raelyn would work out her own personal issues and save her brother—and wondering when she was going to use her book!
Dooley’s characters begin a quest and, as with all quests, they discover deep truths and more about themselves along the way. Plus, who you can and can’t trust.
This tale is an encouragement to any who doubt their gifts, talents, and abilities.
“I am chosen. I am equipped.”
I thoroughly recommend this novel to fantasy lovers who long for something deeper than just a good story.
You’ll get both.
With her brother lying gravely ill in an ICU bed, Raelyn will do anything to find a cure.
Anything.
She receives a puzzling note from an enigmatic stranger, and when things get beyond desperate with her brother’s condition, she takes the mysterious Kade up on his offer. The silent carpark of a deserted-looking factory is more than it seems.
Along with two new companions, Gabe and Joshua, Raelyn discovers the way to the fifth dimension, transporting them into the Periferie — worlds existing in parallel with our world, Earth Apparent.
Raelyn, Avery, and Jinny form the Cord, and each has a loved one to save in Earth Apparent. They are gifted with a weapon, unusual and imaginative, and specific to them. Kade, who emits a glow and continues to be enigmatic, is their mentor.
This novel is a captivating story in a fantasy realm that comprises many worlds. Dooley’s beautiful descriptions take the reader through varied terrains, species, communities, and intriguing buildings. Her realistic characters learn to trust each other, relying on each other’s talents to survive. Dooley had me rooting for their cause and hoping Raelyn would work out her own personal issues and save her brother—and wondering when she was going to use her book!
Dooley’s characters begin a quest and, as with all quests, they discover deep truths and more about themselves along the way. Plus, who you can and can’t trust.
This tale is an encouragement to any who doubt their gifts, talents, and abilities.
“I am chosen. I am equipped.”
I thoroughly recommend this novel to fantasy lovers who long for something deeper than just a good story.
You’ll get both.
July 28, 2022
Wow. I was not expecting that!
I gave it a 4star for now because the start was slow...even for world building. But once it got going....hang on to your seat!
Wow! Action packed, strong characters, deceit, anger, fear, self doubt, friendship, commitment, acceptance, forgiveness, love... a veritable Rollercoaster of emotions, ideas, life!
Very well done! Greatly entertaining!
I received the book and am voluntarily leaving a receive
I gave it a 4star for now because the start was slow...even for world building. But once it got going....hang on to your seat!
Wow! Action packed, strong characters, deceit, anger, fear, self doubt, friendship, commitment, acceptance, forgiveness, love... a veritable Rollercoaster of emotions, ideas, life!
Very well done! Greatly entertaining!
I received the book and am voluntarily leaving a receive
July 13, 2022
A nicely written story with an unusual plot line and strong characters.
December 10, 2022
I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed it.
The main character tries to save her brother, and time is running out. Then she comes to another realm, which she has to save to rescue her brother. Until 40 % of the book the characters are spending time: strolling around, asking questions and are fine that they don't get satisfying answers, train a bit, that's it.
Therefore, that it is URGENT to save their loved ones, they are fine that they are wasting time. They spent 1-2 weeks doing more or less nothing before they started their quest.
If Kade would have explained that 1 day in this realm is 1 hour on earth, I would have understood, but this is not the case. The characters have to assume that the same time is passing on earth and their loved ones will die because they are too late.
They get weapons and don't know how to handle them. When they ask about using them, they are told to be patient and then they are fine with it. Even when they learn a bit about using them, they don't share with it the others and nobody insists on telling them.
The main characters aren't acting comprehensible; Avery is the only character who reacts a bit naturally. The others walked around like they were sleeping and accepting everything without second guessing.
After 40 % of the book, where nothing really happens, they set out on their quest. However, after a bit of adventure they arrive at a camp and what are they doing there? Right, passing time.
I stopped reading at 50 %.
In summary, the characters are way too much at ease with wasting time and not getting told anything, and the book doesn't move forward. Maybe in the second half it gets exciting, but if I have to drag myself getting there, I'm wasting time.
The main character tries to save her brother, and time is running out. Then she comes to another realm, which she has to save to rescue her brother. Until 40 % of the book the characters are spending time: strolling around, asking questions and are fine that they don't get satisfying answers, train a bit, that's it.
Therefore, that it is URGENT to save their loved ones, they are fine that they are wasting time. They spent 1-2 weeks doing more or less nothing before they started their quest.
If Kade would have explained that 1 day in this realm is 1 hour on earth, I would have understood, but this is not the case. The characters have to assume that the same time is passing on earth and their loved ones will die because they are too late.
They get weapons and don't know how to handle them. When they ask about using them, they are told to be patient and then they are fine with it. Even when they learn a bit about using them, they don't share with it the others and nobody insists on telling them.
The main characters aren't acting comprehensible; Avery is the only character who reacts a bit naturally. The others walked around like they were sleeping and accepting everything without second guessing.
After 40 % of the book, where nothing really happens, they set out on their quest. However, after a bit of adventure they arrive at a camp and what are they doing there? Right, passing time.
I stopped reading at 50 %.
In summary, the characters are way too much at ease with wasting time and not getting told anything, and the book doesn't move forward. Maybe in the second half it gets exciting, but if I have to drag myself getting there, I'm wasting time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2022
WHAT A FANTASTIC BOOK! My heart wept for Raelyn for her guilt in killing her mom and little brother, all caused by an accident that could have been avoided. It had been a year since she had spoken to her father and now he wanted her to come to his birthday party. She had turn off her cell to grade her professor's student papers, and when she learned that her other brother was in the hospital, she hurried to his side. I liked that Cade, an ancient being who was a warrior, took pity on Raelyn as she was one of the chosen and told her that her brother could be saved if she accept the terms to return with him to his realm. All of the doctors were stymied about his disease and lost hope for him. Raelyn's task was to forgive and herself in order to he heal. Portal Slayer was themed with good versus evil and I could hardly put the book down!!
October 6, 2023
BRILLIANT! I was immediately drawn into the drama. Twists and turns kept me turning the pages. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in this trilogy.
Recommend to readers who enjoy clean fantasy.
I won a copy. I've expressed my honest view.
Recommend to readers who enjoy clean fantasy.
I won a copy. I've expressed my honest view.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews