Book Title: Conquist
Author: Dirk Strasser
Publication Date: September 1^st, 2024
Publisher: Roundfire Books
Pages: 360
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Capitán Cristóbal de Varga’s drive for glory and gold in 1538 Peru leads him and his army of conquistadors into a New World that refuses to be conquered. He is a man torn by life-long obsessions and knows this is his last campaign.

What he doesn’t know is that his Incan allies led by the princess Sarpay have their own furtive plans to make sure he never finds the golden city of Vilcabamba. He also doesn’t know that Héctor Valiente, the freed African slave he appointed as his lieutenant, has found a portal that will lead them all into a world that will challenge his deepest beliefs. And what he can’t possibly know is that this world will trap him in a war between two eternal enemies, leading him to question everything he has devoted his life to – his command, his Incan princess, his honor, his God.

In the end, he faces the ultimate dilemma: how is it possible to battle your own obsessions . . . to conquer yourself?

Buy Links:

Universal Amazon Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4AM52K

Publisher’s Conquist page: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/roundfire-books/our-books/conquist-novel

Excerpt:

Huarcay had no sense of being watched when he made his way through the darkness. Why would he? He had done this many times since the company left Machu Picchu. The wind had abated and had left a biting chill behind. After entering a small tent on the northern edge of the encampment, he carefully tied the entrance and lit a candle.

He placed a jug of corn beer and a plate of roasted guinea pig at the feet of a dark figure propped up on a low wooden bench. “I’ve brought you fresh chicha, Grandfather, and the cuy has been cooked in the earth oven until it’s soft and sweet.”

The dark figure seemed to nod in response as it contemplated Huarcay with bottomless eyes.

“We’ve finally had the news we have been waiting for, Grandfather,” said Huarcay. “The chaski has been sighted and the bearded ones are preparing to follow.”

He reached down and started taking off the dark figure’s sandals. “But as usual, I’m too absorbed in my own concerns, Grandfather. How are you? Have the servants still been treating you well?”

He held one of the figure’s feet in his hands and started rubbing it. “You’re cold, Grandfather. I’ll ask the servants to bring you an extra blanket.”

The figure’s grimace was almost a smile.

“I’m at the crossroad now, Grandfather. There’s no path back from this decision. I need to know what I’m doing is right.”

He reached out for the figure’s desiccated hand and kissed it. “Whisper the words to me.”

Huarcay stood up and leaned forward, his cheek touching the mummy of his long-dead grandfather. He lowered his voice so that not even the wind could capture it. “Grandfather, give me your wisdom.”

The air around Huarcay froze and the words echoed inside his head.

You are worthy. Do what will make you great.

Huarcay smiled and kissed the mummy on the lips.

Author Bio:

Dirk Strasser’s epic fantasy trilogy The Books of Ascension—Zenith, Equinox and Eclipse—was published in German and English, and his short stories have been translated into several European languages. “The Doppelgänger Effect” appeared in the World Fantasy Award-winning anthology Dreaming Down Under. He is the co-editor of Australia’s premier science-fiction and fantasy magazine, Aurealis.

Dirk was born in Germany but has lived most of his life in Australia. He has written a series of best-selling school textbooks, trekked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and studied Renaissance history. “Conquist” was first published as a short story in the anthology Dreaming Again (HarperCollins). The serialized version of Conquist was a finalist in the Aurealis Awards Best Fantasy Novel category. Dirk’s screenplay version of Conquist won the Wildsound Fantasy/Sci-Fi Festival Best Scene Reading Award and was a featured finalist in the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival and the Creative World Awards.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.dirkstrasser.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DirkStrasser

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054955883297

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-strasser-1249a949/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B00CWMHGHO

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203225407-conquist

Dirk’s blog: https://www.dirkstrasser.com/dirks-blog