"Chosen of the Dark Realm" by David Cornford

"Chosen of the Dark Realm" is Book One of the Great Plan series:

It has been over a thousand years since the seals between this reality and the dark realm of Kur were broken and the wraith-like gallus invaded the continent of Dannum.

When the former priest of An, Adaru, escapes from the tower where the restored seals lay that prevent the gallus from crossing realms, war consumes the land with Adaru's machinations. A kingdom falls, ancient powers awaken and the power of Kur is unleashed again.

The guardian Nanaya and her companions barely stopped the gallus last time, but the Darisam civilisation was annihilated those 1000 years ago, and the land reduced to a poisoned desert, but for one ancient tower. Nanaya is forced to confront the terrors of her past, terrors that took everyone she ever cared for. Nanaya, now advisor to the present king of Southcastle. fears the past will repeat itself.

Elsewhere, Baraka, a desperate treasure hunter from the arid Fringe States that border the vast desert of The Territory, discovers secrets that irrevocably change him; and Samuel, a young man working on his family's farm in the western kingdom of Royaume d'Occident, realises his dreams of adventure, but in doing so loses his innocence.

Kur corrupts the land as Adaru moves closer to realising his terrible ambition of breaking the seals again and Nanaya, now the last guardian in Dannum, knows she is not strong enough to stand against him alone.

Author Biography

David Cornford has been writing ever since David Gemmell invited him into his home, made him a cup of tea and tried to explain that Rocky was the best movie ever made. Holding Snaga The Sender, looking up at a wall of pistols from the John Shannow novels, he knew he had found his calling.

Born in Canada, raised in England and then let loose on the world, David has lived in India, America and now calls Western Australia home.

When he is not lost to his writing, David enjoys trying to grow every sort of fruit and vegetable and watching anything apocalyptic. He is supported by his wife of unfathomable patience and his bemused daughter who is a pixie-mermaid-fairy.