[Removed for Amazon] Quest Academy: Book 4 - Chapters 1 and 2
Added 2024-07-02 14:22:16 +0000 UTCHey Everyone,
So first of all, I haven't decided on the title for the next book. I'll likely be asking for your help in coming up with the name for that one as time goes on. I thought I'd be getting the edits back for Book 3, but it looks like the edits are rolling straight from developmental into line edits, so I'll get them at the end of this month instead. Normally, I'd like to have Book 3 completely done before launching into Book 4, but I don't really have the luxury this time to do that. I've started up the story in the last few days, and went through a few iterations. I also was working on a little side project to flex the creative muscles. Nothing to worry about, I'm not getting distracted from Quest Academy. :)
Now, since we're only just starting out, it's the first two chapters. I'm still kinda finding the tone for this book and there's a lot of ideation happening for the Gala and the return to Quest Academy. We start off though at the Argento Auction which will take up a good few chapters as Sal interacts with his parents more.
As always, I'd be delighted to know your thoughts. We're unlikely to have big chunks of chapters happening every week, but I'll try to get ahead of myself. I'm flying to Canada for a wedding this weekend, and will be spending a few weeks there. I've got an office space already secured to keep writing. So, hopefully it will be good to have some nice weather and views!
(Oh, and a big shoutout to everyone catching all my mistakes. Rochelle is not from the Silver Cohort, great catch! Really appreciate seeing all the amazing comments, theories and suggestions)
All the best,
Brian
Comments
book 4
Juan
2025-03-24 19:14:04 +0000 UTCWhen clicking on chapter 1 I am getting this error 503 Service Unavailable No server is available to handle this request.
DRA
2025-02-14 17:19:24 +0000 UTCHi! New member here. I jus finished reading book 3 on Kindle unlimited and decided to check if there was a Patreon. I love the story! So I'm happy to find that we can get advance chapters here. Quick question? Why do we get attached PDFs? In the other Patreons that I'm following we can read directly in the app... Reading from a PDF on the mobile device is not so fun. Any recommendations for an app to visualize the PDF?
Pukiu
2024-10-15 08:40:05 +0000 UTCI'm really hoping that Sal makes an improved immortality weave and makes it his. Maybe something that mixes immortality and body modification. Allows for unaging, temporary and permanent body enhancing and active healing. I'm guessing that many of the big wigs already took the immortality ability if they were able to so that they could ensure that The Bastion never got a foothold on the planet. It would make perfect sense for someone like Sal, and perhaps his future missus to also take it so that he can stick around and make sure civilization endures long into the future. And so he can have all of the fun making celestial grade equipment that'll make even gods envious .
Joseph Thibodeau
2024-10-09 10:02:00 +0000 UTCOk Sal's mom is fucking awesome 😆 🤣
Fortunis
2024-10-08 23:21:48 +0000 UTCAgreed, especially since he referred to himself as "I" in Book one.
Janet Beane
2024-08-11 06:32:48 +0000 UTCSo another week of nothing?
Tony
2024-07-25 10:30:41 +0000 UTCIf you use moon reader, there is a tab to make it look like epub. It is a page with an "A" on it in top right when you have pdf pulled up.
Ray S.
2024-07-22 16:23:16 +0000 UTCBook 4 new chapters?? Man plans God laughs!?
James
2024-07-18 19:30:07 +0000 UTCLove the books but I hate trying to read pdfs from my phone. Any way you could include epub version in the future? Or just include chapters in post? Would really make my life easier.
Matthew Mcclory
2024-07-16 10:39:09 +0000 UTCAnd now I am caught up!
Kenneth Darlin
2024-07-15 23:59:41 +0000 UTCAfter binging thru book 3 again, suggestions for titles would be “Gala” if the story mostly just covers school break, or maybe “Mythic Guild” bc it covers the founding of Salvatore’s guild? Either way, cheers for a great series!
Naotsugu97
2024-07-14 01:59:19 +0000 UTCAnymore chapters soon?
Travis Snelgrove
2024-07-12 18:49:37 +0000 UTCIf he gets his guild started it could be: Setup
Alteron
2024-07-12 10:07:32 +0000 UTCHis friends that he found or the tower or the stuff with the doom society
Ivo Wißen
2024-07-10 02:57:13 +0000 UTCI thought about the name for the book and here are my two suggestions (assuming there will be 3 books for the next semester and then things will speed up): Option 1: Advancement, Specialization, Inception Option 2: Support (as some other people also suggested, but this follows the current theme the best since Sal will wear the patch for Supports now), Support Specialist, Support Guild This would be for the following books: Guild Trainee, Guild Master And finally: Master Battle
Nina Speicher
2024-07-09 16:45:43 +0000 UTC"Your mother and myself" . That's just awkward. Can his father not say the word "I"?
Sherry Walles
2024-07-09 10:09:54 +0000 UTCI don't quite understand what you mean 🤔
Alteron
2024-07-08 13:05:25 +0000 UTCAm i reading this wrong: "Restoring it would just bring it back to a Rare-Grade, and while that was good, it could have been better", but then he talks with his mother about bringing it to Rare grade, but he got more runes working when he restored it... Is it now Epic?
Alteron
2024-07-07 14:53:00 +0000 UTCJust read book one chapter 60 and maybe Sal will see his administration class sooner than he thought 😏
Benjamin Hartmann
2024-07-06 21:15:02 +0000 UTCOh I absolutely love how petty his mom is.
Travis Snelgrove
2024-07-05 01:18:05 +0000 UTCTo me the style of conversations with his parents are more of somebody that just got back from the Academy the evening before and not a few days ago - I mean, what have they been talking about for two days if crafting, the workshop, the guild and the auction house was a no-topic? That is the only change I would suggest, love the rest and happy I checked the app :)
Nina Speicher
2024-07-04 21:38:17 +0000 UTCYes, I was going to ask if for the new book the font size in the pdf could be changed. Might be ok to read on a pc, but on a phone it is tiny and using the zoom and going left-right all the time is annoying - so full brightness and holding the screen closer to my eyes it is^^
Nina Speicher
2024-07-04 21:22:29 +0000 UTCI absolutely LOVE how petty Sophia is. Really hope we see more of his family
Charles Gillentine
2024-07-04 20:52:23 +0000 UTCWell, most of my other subscriptions can be read on the app, and since I read on my phone the tiny print on the pdf that can't be changed is a bit of a chore. Interesting approach though.
zeth kocourek
2024-07-04 20:19:31 +0000 UTCDid a poll a good while ago and pdf came out on top. Have had very few complaints with it so far. What's your preference?
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-04 20:18:02 +0000 UTCWhy in the world are these only listed as pdfs.
zeth kocourek
2024-07-04 20:12:21 +0000 UTCIf the support classes shine... Quest Academy: Supports
Koral
2024-07-04 05:22:04 +0000 UTCWe saw Shade briefly during the Dungeon Calamity from book 1.
Sam
2024-07-04 00:51:21 +0000 UTCMaybe "Steadfast" for book Four.
Joanne Hans
2024-07-03 21:33:35 +0000 UTCI just blasted through book 3 and am loving these first 2 chapters of book 4, congrats and well done. 👏 Daniel
Daniel Mitchell
2024-07-03 21:31:41 +0000 UTCI mean, quest literally held a meeting where he told the whole faculty. Literally his fault this got to Chatfield, who in turn reported to the guildmaster.
Charles Gillentine
2024-07-03 19:32:56 +0000 UTCLove this series! Enjoy your Canada trip.
ELITE_TK
2024-07-03 17:44:25 +0000 UTCIs Sal in the middle of discovering how to make magical materials. He made the breastplate with no ekstra runes, and placed a evolution rune, will that upgrade the material.... Imagine Sal stealing the show at the gala by telling people how to make new materials:-)
Alteron
2024-07-03 15:23:26 +0000 UTCThanks for the chapters!
Tim Walloch
2024-07-03 14:31:40 +0000 UTCKeen for some dedicated crafting. Hopefully he finally spends some time on making force multipliers: things to bump up his crafting like the gloves or improve his own power's synchronisation. Better tools should be his number 1 priority outside of improving his powers; weapons and such are cool but really not that useful outside of gaining allies imo.
paldre
2024-07-03 14:31:23 +0000 UTCMore pls
Ivo Wißen
2024-07-03 11:06:12 +0000 UTCSpecialist is a pretty good one too.
Kiwi
2024-07-03 06:59:53 +0000 UTCI was thinking book 4 could be called specialisms as you refer to the specialist courses to be undertaken at the end of book 3
Robyn Davis
2024-07-03 06:45:55 +0000 UTCMaybe something at the auction house has enough storm steel he can bid on to make one.
Kiwi
2024-07-03 03:40:28 +0000 UTCI hope Sal makes Roche her own jacket (maybe a green version) so he can get the one upgrade and blathnaid made for him without handicapping Roche to much, maybe a few less corse so it doesn’t do what it did to her gates in the tower (training site).
Kiwi
2024-07-03 03:39:23 +0000 UTCI'll test this with my own ipad to see if I can find a fix. Thanks for highlighting :)
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-03 03:04:23 +0000 UTCI want to add, that I absolutely love the creative elements of this story. Most stories just get into all the fights and ignore this side of things. KUDOS!
Koral
2024-07-03 01:49:04 +0000 UTCI thought it was funny that his Dad was trying to slow him down (largely because of his Mom). Then his Mom sees what he can do and wants him to ramp up to warp speed! Can't wait to see what happens :)
Koral
2024-07-03 01:45:23 +0000 UTCSo for names I would suggest something not starting with "S" the first 3 books stand as a trilogy for the 1st semester. Having book 4 break that patern would show it as the beginning of a second trilogy or atleast a form of growth. On a different matter. I'm really glad to see Delvers getting a focus early. Shade is not going to be happy.
Chris Hoopes
2024-07-03 01:38:42 +0000 UTCThis one might not be what you are looking for, but I think you could title it. Salvage. Either way, you are a wonderful author and I love your work.
Madisyn
2024-07-03 01:33:38 +0000 UTCWell, he's 18 and just came back from University. Does it feel jarring that he's spending time with his family?
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-03 01:09:31 +0000 UTCHaha, this is the title of Book 3, don't do me like that! :D
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-03 01:07:34 +0000 UTCHi Daniel, thanks for the comment. First of all, just in relation to the Glock, the wood component comes from the custom wood grips. It's not actually a part of the mechanism or anything like that. I wanted something that was clearly personalised to the individual. The angst will fade as he becomes more driven. This won't become a gritty grimdark story. As for the world building, Sal grew up in an isolated place, sheltered from the realities of the world. Since the POV follows him, it means that we only learn about the world as Sal does. The Gala will be an opportunity for the Hunter's Bureau to talk through their efforts over the last year, which will be a good source of world building, and an eye-opener to what awaits graduates. If you're on the fence about wanting to continue, maybe hold on until the Gala happens and then make your decision. It should be reflective of how the world operates on a wider scale.
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-03 01:07:09 +0000 UTCIt’s kinda nice to see more of his parents.
Robert Smart
2024-07-03 00:56:40 +0000 UTCGreat start to the next book. Thanks
Robert Smart
2024-07-03 00:56:03 +0000 UTCSo, this is an Irish-ism. No doubt my editor will slap me on the wrist for it. :)
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-03 00:52:44 +0000 UTCWOOHOO CHAPTERS!!!!! heard so many bad things about Shade. Can't wait for him to hopefully show up a bit.
Hakalakala
2024-07-03 00:09:59 +0000 UTCThamks for the new chapters! "Myself and your mother" has my inner grammarian gritting its teeth at the beginning of Ch.1., but the sheer level of delightful spite and schadenfreude displayed by his mom at the end of Ch.2 made up for it. Please, sir, may we have some more?
daGrimm
2024-07-02 23:56:22 +0000 UTCJust casually throwing the hulker comment in there 😂
Kanyau
2024-07-02 23:37:23 +0000 UTCHi all! I am new here so forgive me if this has already been said or answered but I am going to say it anyway. For a world that is supposed to be in the bloody edge of survival and from the snippets of the world that we have seen the MC comes across as incredibly spoiled. This is a world that explicitly has (or had) child soldiers, most of the people have to fight like the imperial guard AU-LA 40k, there are Darwin cruises with all that entails, no one knows how many cities still stand, ect. The MC is the equivalent of a 40K noble that has only had to “fight” in extremely controlled environments with stupidly overpowered body guards, and he gets magic power-up as often as the plot requires. Are we ever going to see him have to actually struggle and fight down in the mud and blood like 95% of humanity or will the current grimdark world persist with the MC only being vaugly aware of it and his incredible privilege? Don’t get me wrong I am enjoying the premise and the world building but the whole MC angst is strarting to really get on my nerves and I also really want to see more of the world outside of the incredibly isolated views we have gotten. Also as an aside the Glock 17 from book 3 that he finds would only be made of polymer and steel. There is no wood at all on a Glock, that stood out to me and I thought I should say something.
daniel koval
2024-07-02 22:55:48 +0000 UTCMaybe saviours considering he is in the saviours class next semesters
AJ
2024-07-02 22:38:25 +0000 UTCYep nice chapters! His mothers reaction at the end is great. looking forward to the rest of this mini arch between semesters. Hoping to see to read about this shade stuff along with the myth guild, and that hunter get to gether. Maybe even some bastion stuff thrown in!
Travis Nevins
2024-07-02 22:14:21 +0000 UTCDoes Ireland use the word intersession? Might fit book title perfect depending on what it’s going to contain. Don’t know how widely it’s used.
Dawn Zeleznik
2024-07-02 21:19:48 +0000 UTCSuch a good surprise!
Grakyn
2024-07-02 20:08:57 +0000 UTCGo Mom !! lol
Joanne Hans
2024-07-02 19:59:40 +0000 UTCNgl, I was having a rough time today but I'm glad you dropped some chapters ❤️ Edit: Sal's parents are the absolute best. If they get the red wedding treatment I'm going to actually cry
Aaron edison
2024-07-02 19:42:00 +0000 UTCWhy does it seem like he’s 16 and just came back camp? Maybe it’s just me.
David
2024-07-02 18:39:27 +0000 UTCJust woke up to absolute happiness seeing this notification on my phone. ❤️ Thanks for making my day!
Mike
2024-07-02 18:28:43 +0000 UTCI, too, am interested in this Fabi Character.
C
2024-07-02 18:28:34 +0000 UTCEnjoy Quest Academy! Thank you for the great reading. When are you going to introduce Fabi? Can't wait...
Tom Maxey
2024-07-02 17:48:15 +0000 UTCBrian a have a couple of other authors I am members with. Their chapters work well with my iPad. Yours has a very narrow box that I cannot change unless I take the pdf into a pdf program and strip it to text. Not sure why yours is different.
Tom Maxey
2024-07-02 17:46:34 +0000 UTCReally strong start. I wholeheartedly approve.
C
2024-07-02 16:28:56 +0000 UTCI didn't like the mother much from what little we saw before... now I like her a lot
Tom
2024-07-02 16:14:47 +0000 UTCThe mother I love the petty at the end you see where Sal get his quick wit
Branden platt
2024-07-02 16:09:29 +0000 UTCIt was excellent!! I love the new chapters!! I love that this shows where Sal gets his vindictive streak!!
Heather Herren
2024-07-02 15:49:57 +0000 UTCStrong beginning. :)
Hsu
2024-07-02 15:35:56 +0000 UTCSince we readers don’t know the exact direction you’re going in this book, my suggestion for the title would be Quest Academy: Guilds (if we’re sticking to the one word QA titles). My personal preference, since I’d like to know more of this organization, would be QA: Hunters. Also love the interaction of Sal & his parents. Dad is the diplomatic one & mom is the bad@ss!!
Karen Shelton
2024-07-02 15:23:30 +0000 UTCLoved the chapters. Had a nice ease into the story without being too slow so both readers that just finished book 3, and those that have to wait a bit, are engaged. As others have mentioned, I don't think we've seen Shade yet in the series, but after all the mentions of him shorting Argento Auction, I am very much looking forward to his reaction once he realizes a ton of pieces being auctioned were his at one point! Could see some nice interplay/tension with Shade and his guild and Quest Academy/Argenta Auction/Sal/Sal's Guild. Shade may even try to obstruct/slow the start of Sal's Guild. As for title, you could go cliché and go "Second Year", or you could go with what you have done previously and have a one or two word title that points to some major developments in the book without spoiling anything. Is there a large event/plot point coming up that you could make that work with?
Rielgesh
2024-07-02 15:13:19 +0000 UTCI love how Sophia has bite 😂
Kiwi
2024-07-02 15:09:44 +0000 UTCIt’s great to see Sal at home and in the auction. I would feel sorry for Shade, we haven’t really met him yet, but it sounds like he deserves everything he’s about to get.
Dawn Zeleznik
2024-07-02 15:05:35 +0000 UTCWould probably be a little too on the nose to call the Auction the 'Throwing Shade Collection'
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-02 15:03:56 +0000 UTCI'm really glad you feel that way. I've a great relationship with my own parents, and it always makes me sad reading about characters that don't have that. I'm very lucky, and so is Sal. Glad it comes through in the story. :)
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-02 15:03:22 +0000 UTCThis just tells me that you have no faith in my ability to write longer than a month per book. You're not wrong, but still... we will get to Quest Academy. :D
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-02 15:02:13 +0000 UTCFantastic start. Really good change of pace while throwing some shade at Shade
Kieran
2024-07-02 14:56:19 +0000 UTCI'm absolutely thrilled to see Book 4 start, as i recently demolished all of book 3 in a row. It's really nice to go to relatively low stakes crafting, and it's just refreshing to see a fairly OP protagonist just being happy hanging out with his parents.
Darkstone
2024-07-02 14:55:47 +0000 UTCAbout the title, how about Quest Academy "Summer Recess" or "Summer Holiday"
Alteron
2024-07-02 14:53:29 +0000 UTCI fully back Sal’s stance on the doll. Those things are creepy little buggers.
Kiwi
2024-07-02 14:48:44 +0000 UTCGreat start for the book
Alteron
2024-07-02 14:43:49 +0000 UTCThat was a really fun chapter, great to see Sal at the auction house. He needs to impress the crap out of everyone, although I can see him giving Quest an even bigger headache when someone else randomly discovers his power
Thomas Todd
2024-07-02 14:34:46 +0000 UTCLike that’s even a question 😂 can’t wait let’s go.
Kiwi
2024-07-02 14:27:58 +0000 UTCFirst of all, you're incredibly welcome. Secondly, maybe... just a little, lower your expectations. I'm trying to remember how to start books, so these might be a little rough. :D
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-02 14:27:42 +0000 UTCCrap do I read this now while at work, or wait till I finish my shift?
Kiwi
2024-07-02 14:27:39 +0000 UTCOh be still my racing heart!!! Clutching my pearls!! Did NOT expect that you would gift us with book 4 chapters!!! Thank you Sooooo Much Brian! I need my fainting couch for a second to calm my racing heart before I go read these!!!
Karen Shelton
2024-07-02 14:26:01 +0000 UTCYou my friend, are speed incarnate.
Brian J. Nordon
2024-07-02 14:24:11 +0000 UTCFirst i hope
Joran Spans
2024-07-02 14:23:17 +0000 UTC
