Donegal-based author T. S. J. Smith has just released his highly anticipated second novel.
The 39-year-old father of three, has followed up his critically acclaimed debut spy thriller, The Soviet Comeback, with Where Giants Walk.
The latest book is a fantasy which follows the incredible journey of a boy called Barry Birchwood. Where Giants Walk is inspired by the hills of Donegal – Birmingham-native Smith now lives in Mountcharles with his wife, Anne O’Driscoll, who hails from the area.
Author T. S. J. Smith.
His latest offering tells the story of Barry, a teenager with no friends, no father and no interest in having an adventure, much as he enjoys reading about them. When he stumbles on the entrance to another world where nothing is what it seems, Barry finds himself in an ancient empire that has fallen into darkness and chaos. With a ruthless overlord claiming power and giants running rampant, the resistance movement looks to Barry for help. Can he find his courage in this strange and dangerous world?
In order to survive, he must overcome much more than just his own demons.
“So much of the land that Barry’s journey takes across is inspired by the magic that seeps out of the very ground in Donegal and the mysticism that’s alive in the hills, crags, rocks and beaches of this county I’m proud to call home,” Smith said.
“My road to Donegal was something of an adventure but I don’t think I can quite compare it to what Barry has to endure!
“Much of this book was written in the wee hours of the night after being kept awake by the first of his small children.
“Once she was back to sleep it was the only time there was a period of quiet and no distractions – albeit the days did feel rather long after starting at 4am,” he adds.
“Stories full of magic and wonder such as this, that aren’t weighed down by lots of violence and things like that, that can be enjoyed by adults as much if not more than teenagers feel rare, and too often we lose that escape that our imagination can give us. Where Giants Walk was so much fun to write and really gave my imagination a workout.”
The book, which has been hailed as fantastic, page turning adventure for teenagers and adults alike, is available now to pre order via the publisher, Pegasus, and on Amazon (via the links below), or from your local bookshop:
Amazon.co.uk: Smith, T. S. J.: 9781804680124: Books
Where Giants Walk by T. S. J. Smith (pegasuspublishers.com)
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