Tapasya

Part of The Redemption of Wist Trilogy – Book 1 of 3

When I set out to write this book, I envisaged it being in four parts: one for each of the seasons.   When I started planning it out though, it became clear that a traditional trilogy would actually work much better as a vehicle for my tale.

I first thought of the concept for The Redemption of Wist when I was at university, but given that most of my time was taken with errr… studies, it was hard to put pen to paper (so to speak), or even figure out how to organise my thoughts in to a cohesive story that said what I wanted to say.

I finally got around to starting this work many years later when the first of my three children was due, so never let it be said that it is ever too late!  At first it was a bit daunting.  I had the ideas, the places, the characters the fantastical creatures they would encounter, but how to organise that into a story… I wasn’t so sure.

So I wrote down a rough plan and just started writing.  It took a long time, and a LOT of editing, but I’m proud of this work and I’m glad I persevered.

Synopsis

When Wist finds himself returned to Tapasya, he is bereft of everything, even his memory. As he struggles to regain his past, he must face up to the failures of his life, or risk the destruction of the land.

Broken and close to death, Wist staggers into the walled city of Mashesh and collapses at the feet of a towering statue commemorating his likeness. Incredibly, three and a half centuries have passed since he was last in the city and now he has returned, bereft of everything… even his memory.

Wist soon learns that the last time he left Mashesh and the continent of Tapasya, the land literally fractured from north to south. In the wake of his departure, oppression, persecution and civil war became the norm. The unrest continues.

When Wist is rescued by Aviti, a young woman with her own mysteries to solve, he begins a journey of discovery and redemption that will take him far from Mashesh. As he struggles to piece together his story and fractured recollections from the past, he is forced to face up to the failures of his life or risk the complete destruction of Tapasya.

Reviews

“The great cast of characters vigorously propels the reader along.” Dave Easton

“This is one of the best books I have read in a long while.” – Dawn Evans

“David Gilchrist shows mastery at world-building. ” – Chris Walters

 

Closing Thoughts

I should tip my metaphorical hat to JRR Tolkien, Stephen R Donaldson and Frank Herbert, as without reading there seminal works I don’t think I’d ever have had the courage to begin.