The Dark Beast

 

 

 The Dark Beast

by Dave Maruszewski

GENRE:   Children's/ Chapter Books/ Middle Grade

Recently knighted squires Raven, Romda, and Ravai are tasked to help a nearby priest. However, this simple errand turns into much more.  They cross paths with the Dark Beast.  After that brief encounter, they soon realize the Beast’s plans to destroy an entire town.  They journey to this town, meeting residents who tell large tales about the Beast.  How much of stories are true?  The three will find out.  The Dark Beast is coming.

Excerpt:

The Dark Beast lunged toward Agnew and grabbed him, but his hand smashed into something. The wizard had put up as a barrier, invisible to the Beast. 

“A nice spell,” the Beast said, “but there are ways around it, as well.”

“It will be too late,” the wizard said. He then shot out a large burst of blue energy. The Beast jumped out of the way, grabbed onto one of the rafters, and did not come back down.

“Do you know what your problem is?” the Dark Beast asked.

“Right now?” Agnew replied. “You.”

“No,” the Dark Beast continued, “even in my form, you are more than my superior. You have great power.” Agnew almost seemed pleased to hear this. 

The Beast continued explaining. “However, you are too vain and unwilling to get your hands dirty. No one turned me into the beast that you see before you. I chose to do it. It made me stronger. You would never do it.”

The wizard released another blast, almost missing, but indeed striking the Dark Beast. He fell to the ground.

“It would appear that you have overestimated yourself,” Agnew proclaimed. “I stand above you, and you are defeated.”

The Beast looked up and said, “But you won’t touch me, will you, even if I am dead?”

“Of course not,” Agnew replied. “That is why I have guards.” He raised his hand to give the final blow.

The Dark Beast rolled and smashed another vial on the ground. The mist penetrated Agnew’s shield. When he smelled it, he immediately got sick and tried not to vomit.

The Beast slowly rose with a glare aimed directly at Agnew. The Beast was unaffected. His form was resistant to the sickly fumes.

About the Author:

Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family.  He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son, when they encouraged him to put his bedtime stories on paper.  

His stories are created from an accumulation of experiences from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer.  He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults.

In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.

Q&A With the Author

When did you first consider yourself to be a writer?

I started my career as an Engineer.  So, I had some things published.  I think those made me feel like a writer, a little.  

However, in some ways, I still don’t consider myself as a writer.  When I think of writers and authors, I think of the greats.  I’m not sure that I will ever feel like I’m in that class. I’m not really shooting for those that either.  I think I am more looking to entertain.  However, if someone wants to call me a writer or author, I won’t argue.  I love the title.

What advice do you have for a new writer?

Just jump into it! Naiveté gets more done than pessimism, or even realism.  Getting published is very involved, but once you have written something you love, you’ll do what it takes to get it published.  If you worry too much about the details early on, you’ll talk yourself out of it.  

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?

I love dialogue, and love it more with every page that I write.  I usually have to keep attention to the length and put a bow on it, or I would go on forever.  Maybe I’ll write a book that is just a conversation that just keeps devolving.  Any takers?

What is your favorite part of this story?

I’m a sucker for action, so the final battle was so fun to write.  I probably would pick that.  I try to build things up like a prize fight if I can.  I wanted this to feel a bit unknown but with each person bringing their best.  

Getting back to the question, I also liked when they meet Agnew.  The mood unexpected changes, and I like that as well.  I like switching gears from time to time so that I don’t keep people in the same emotion for too long.

Which Character was the most fun to write about? Why? 

Ravai is probably the easiest so he becomes the most fun for that reason.  He has no filter and doesn’t second guess himself that much. He’ll just go ahead and say or do what he wants.  From that standpoint, I can generate a lot of good humor.  He can be the butt of a joke or be the instigator, as well.

Which Character was the hardest to write about? Why?

Side characters who are needed for the story to progress but don’t have much in the way of lines are the hardest.  They are a little inert as far as character, and I don’t want to involve them in a way that makes them a distraction or seem random. 

As far as the named characters in the book, I think that Raven can be an issue.  He isn’t as talkative as the rest.  So, I have to choose his interactions more wisely.  His words are much more deliberate.  

Book: www.ravenromdaandravai.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dave-Maruszewski-Books-100693982454237/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21946064.Dave_Maruszewski

NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/publisher/84200

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Beast-Raven-Romda-Ravai-ebook/dp/B09JSX3ZGG/

The book is on sale for $0.99 during the tour.

GIVEAWAY:

Dave Maruszewski will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway