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The Game of War

The Trials of Dantess, Warrior Priest

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The Game of War

By: Glen Dahlgren
Narrated by: Glen Dahlgren
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About this listen

Never meet your heroes—especially if they’re dead.

Years before the Child of Chaos makes their fateful choice, young Dantess faces his own reckoning.

Dantess wants to follow in the footsteps of his dead grandfather—a legendary priest of War—but his father forbids it. In fact, his father’s hatred of war lands him in a cell within the god’s temple.

The only way to free him is from the inside, so Dantess must choose: let his father die or defy his upbringing, become a priest, and win his father’s freedom in the temple’s deadly Game of War.

Torn between the legacies of his father and grandfather, Dantess finds that both paths hide secrets that threaten to destroy everything he cares about, including his sanity.

Dantess must decide who he wants to be—but if he’s wrong, everyone will pay the price.

The Game of War is a stand-alone, full-size prequel novel to the Chronicles of Chaos.

©2021 Glen Dahlgren (P)2021 Glen Dahlgren
Coming of Age Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Young Adult War
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Critic reviews

"Game of War, like its predecessor, Child of Chaos, is riveting and compelling. Introducing new, fascinating characters, adventures and relationships, Glen Dahlgren weaves another magical book that is a must-read for any fan of fantasy literature." (Barbara Blackburn, Knights of the Dinner Table)

"The Game of War is one hell of an action-packed thrill ride.... It's a heartfelt origin story, a gut-wrenching coming of age, and an exceptional character-driven epic fantasy which in many ways surpasses The Child of Chaos. I loved this book." (Cully Mack, author of A Voice That Thunders)

"[The Game of War] is an exciting and fast-paced story packed with extended sequences that would be right at home in a Steven Spielberg movie. At the end, I was left wanting more, much more." (Josh Mandel, award-winning designer of Spider Robinson's Callahan's Crosstime Saloon)

What listeners say about The Game of War

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A really unique fantasy book, perfect for the YA fantasy theme. The main Character Dantess is an interesting character that has a real coming of age journey and is forced to grow up quickly in the novel.

The “goodies and baddies” are equally well crafted and liable and detestable in equal measure. I really liked the easy to read writing style, its direct and made for a quick and easy flowing listen. I will definitely be reading more from this author. The audio performance was really good and made the books characters come to life!

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Amazing narration, gripping story, fantastic characters

The worldbuilding is outstanding, the plot was full of action, adventure, character growth, loss, resilience and bravery, and it has creative magic systems and deities.
I love Dantess as a character and it was amazing seeing a focus on his epic journey, embracing his destiny, and everything he endures to try and save his loved ones.
Not only that but the growth of Warren and Jyn too, his friends and allies, and the challenges they faced.
There were some truly heartbreaking moments, the quests and competitions were intense, it's full of high stakes, and has some truly despicable villains.
The concept of the Longing is fascinating and I loved seeing it play out through the plot.

I am so impressed that not only was this narrated by the author, but the sheer range of voices produced, including some terrifying monsters was incredible. It was so immersive, it kept me hooked, and the character voice range was amazing. I really felt all the emotions play out, and it was engaging from start to finish. Definitely an audiobook you need!

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A coming of age story with inventive storytelling and intriguing characters

🌟🌟🌟🌟Dantess wants to follow in his esteemed deceased grandfather’s footsteps, and become a renowned Priest of War. However, Dantess' father, Tolliver, a humble store owner, disagrees and is determined to keep Dantess away from War's Temple. Tolliver's opposition to War lands him in prison. To help get his father and others release,, Dantess enlists the help of his best friend Jyn and her little brother Warren. Their only option is to compete to become a Priest of War to try secure their family’s freedom from the inside. Dantess is the only one who qualifies as a Priest, and Warren and Jyn end up as Faithless and are bound to service in the temple. To advance in the Priest ranks, Dantess decides to take part in the Temple's deadliest quest – the Game of War.


Dantess' plans to save his loved ones have unforeseen consequences for him and those around him. As he journeys into unknown territories and meets those who have had horrifying dealings with War and its Priests, Dantess' magical abilities will plague him with the unspeakable past deeds of his grandfather and force him to uncover shocking revelations about the Temple of War. When Dantess faces one challenge after another, will he be able to continue his quest for justice for the Faithless, or will his troubled mind crumble under the pressures that surround him?


This story has a bit of everything. It is a coming-of-age tale for Dantess, featuring fascinating and creative world-building, an intriguing mystery at its core, swashbuckling journeys with pirates, an epic puzzle-solving quest, and thrilling magical elements that tie all the other aspects together. Dantess is an interesting character as he transitions from a blindly devoted follower of his grandfather's legend with aspirations to be a Priest of War to having his eyes opened and forging a new path for himself. Additionally, I enjoyed the audiobook narration, which added depth to the story, and I was surprised how quickly I grew attached to the characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Outstanding start to series

Review:
I loved the narration for this and what was cool was that Glen does the narration for his own books. He manages to make sure that all his characters voices are different which is a very hard thing to d sometimes and I give him full praise for bringing some of my favourite characters to life. This had me hooked after the first page, Dantess and his friends draw you into the story and start to build the world and allows you a slow introduction to the way that the magic system is going to work. You then get told of a prophecy and this has you intrigued with who will be the one to fulfil this and who will work against them. Between the action scenes you have the world building which helps the understanding of the societal layout and where everyone fits in. You follow Dantess in his quest to become a Priest of War and then he decides he is going to ensure his father and close friend will be freed.

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