Arcana

Guild #1

by Scott Michael Stenwick

Balzador was once a mighty Demon, but after opposing his master Coronzon he found himself exiled on Earth inhabiting a human body. Only one way remains for him to return home - binding together the world's magick and joining in a war against the Archons, sworn enemies of the Demons, that would upset the cosmic balance of power. Standing in his way is the Guild, a magical order founded during the European Renaissance that holds the secrets of practical magick he desperately needs to complete his task. After a terrible magical accident the Guild is divided and distracted. Guild initiate Michael Niemand and A∴A∴ initiate Samantha Davis must unite the members of their respective magical orders against Balzador's machinations if any of them hope to survive. Complicating their task further, the government magick office has taken an interest in the Demon and the Guild and seeks to use both for its own purposes. As Balzador's plans unfold, the two magicians struggle to stop the binding spell and find a way to destroy the immortal Demon. But will their efforts prove too late?

328 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2009

About the author

Scott Michael Stenwick was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1969. A natural storyteller from early childhood, he was drawing pictures and assembling them into simple narratives before he could read or write. In elementary school he was exposed to computers when his school acquired an Apple II in 1977 and has been writing and programming ever since. He developed an interest in esoteric studies as a teenager following in the footsteps of his great-grandmother, a professional astrologer and medium, and began practicing ritual and ceremonial magick.

Scott attended Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and graduated in 1991 with a degree in psychology. In college he worked on two novels in addition to his studies but eventually decided that neither was suitable for publication without substantial revision. One of these novels recently went on to become Arcana, released in December 2009 by Pendraig Publishing. After graduation he went to work in the computer field and built a career as a software developer and information technology consultant. In this capacity he has worked for several Fortune 500 companies and designed and developed numerous business applications.

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful introduction to Scott Michael Stenwick's Guild Series of paranormal, urban fantasy novels!

[Jason]

I'm a friend of Scott's who very much enjoyed this simple story with an old school Saturday afternoon serial feel. If you are a practical working Magician in the Enochian system, you will enjoy the Easter eggs and atmosphere. This was a good day's read.