This image is the cover for the book Crimson Valley, The Vastness

Crimson Valley, The Vastness



This novella is part four of The Vastness, also available as a collection.

A rebellion forms, creating four Kings.
A gruesome battle is released leaving devastation in its wake. Our characters struggle to keep the world balanced as the war for Zoviya tears down families, province, and religions.
“Blake has written an engaging story. I thoroughly enjoyed the character Emi. I was excited with her, scared with her, curious, hungry, and losing faith and gaining strength. I want to learn more about her. This is a sign of a good story, for me. I look forward to reading more.” – Amazon Review

The Vastness is the third and final omnibus collection to the Vesteal Series. The Vastness takes us deep into the capital of Bessradi, following the chaos of Native Silver, where new magic is emerging. Ghosts stir, the ground shakes, and an unknown magic has been unleashed. Blood soon becomes as important as air, and our characters struggle to keep the world balanced.
In the end, the war will be over, but which side will win?
“I was not sure who was mad and who was sane—the boy-king playing with death or the cult that followed him.” - Barok

You can read the trilogy in full volumes, or broken up into five novellas each.

The Vestal Series

A tale of violent magic, intrigue, and statecraft, the Vesteal Series is the story of four souls that are banished beyond the edge of the map to a land of gnarled forests, ancient magic, and the site of a terrible murder. Their struggles to survive will put them at odds with their families, their nation, and the very powers that shaped the world.

1. Ghosts in the Yew
Novella 1 - Beyond the Edge
Novella 2 - Opposing Oaths
Novella 3 - Reckless Borders
Novella 4 - Bayen's Women
Novella 5 - Falling Tides

2. Native Silver
Novella 1 - Sutler's Road
Novella 2 - Forgotten Stairs
Novella 3 - Thrall's Wine
Novella 4 - Corsair Princess
Novella 5 - Tanayon Born

3. The Vastness
Novella 1 - Silent Rebellion
Novella 2 - The River War
Novella 3 - The Blinded
Novella 4 - Crimson Valley
Novella 5 - Singer's Reward

Blake Hausladen

Armed with an English degree from Ripon College and an MBA from Chicago’s Stuart School of Business, Blake has thrived for many years in the shadowed back-office realms of the financial industry. He currently solves financial crimes in Chicago during the day and gives life to wild fantasies during the blackest hours of night.

When he is not working or writing, Blake enjoys reading some of the best fantasy novels around, written by the likes of Robert V.S. Redick, Glen Cook, Peter V. Brett and Mark Laurence, with a little science fiction from David Brin sprinkled in.

Blake is the author of the Vesteal Series, which includes Ghosts in the Yew, Native Silver and The Vastness.

According to fans, "Blake excels at world-building" which gives "each of the characters their own unique voice" and "ring(s) truer to the human condition". The Draumr Kopa Fantasy Book Blog even exclaimed, "It always amazes me how such an extensive story can sprout from a single human's mind. "

Blake loves to hear from his readers at his events (goo.gl/B7L9HM) or via his newsletter: goo.gl/LaR7Vy.

Rook Creek Books