Untoward is a fantasy novel set in a pseudo-medieval Europe in which magic is seen as something to hide if one possesses it.  It is a first person narrative from four (altogether six) different points of view, woven together for story progression.

That’s already piqued our interest. Tell us more.
The basic premise is that once you turn thirteen years old, sinister magicians just might abduct you and take you back to their subterranean lair.  This happens to two boys from the same town, who are taken away from their loved ones, tied up, and brutally treated on their way to “the Abyss”.

However contrary to popular belief not all magicians are the vile kidnappers that one particular faction would have the non-magical people believe.  And one from that rival group, an unlikely hero, in that he is self-exiled from his own people, sees their rescue and deliverance to safety to be just the ticket back into the magical floating city of Horizon.

This good magician will take the boys under his proverbial wing, and escort them through the myriad dangers that lie between them and the rendezvous point of their haven away from the scores of evil magicians that hunger for the power locked within each of them.

Who is this good magician? Surely he’s got a name. Tell us more about him.
Tadrec is turning to witchreed to calm his nerves and the pangs of grief at being the only member of his party to recently survive a cursed artifact.  But when fate presents an opportunity to once again become a hero, he must put aside pleasure in order to rescue the boys and take them to the safety of Horizon.

What genre is this book?
It’s definitely in the fantasy genre, but I tried to make it appealing for non fantasy readers as well…in that I tried to place many “real world” situations in the mix, so that it did not seem so otherworldly.  I wanted it to read more surreal in some aspects, especially the various dream sequences that many of the characters have.  I also wanted to make each character as real and unique as possible, good and bad attributes, graces and vices, so that they would come alive, particularly to hold the interest of people who wouldn’t normally read a book like this.

There are many twists in this novel, but a main one that can be reached almost half way through, would definitely place this in an LGBT category.  (Though as to not spoil it, no one need mention this please).

That’s definitely a new turn for fantasy novels. What kind of readers will Untoward appeal to?
Anyone who loves fantasy, adventure, good triumphing over evil, daring escapes, and interesting character interaction.  It’s not jolly and light, but it is definitely peppered with humorous bits.  I basically tried to write this in a way in which most anybody who could read English would enjoy it (even if said audience might have to look up some words…I do use some carbon-dated words).

What else do we need to like – in addition to carbon-dated words – to enjoy this book?
Being on the edge of your seat.

Tell us more about the two boys at the centre of the story.
Daumis is scared of the men who kidnapped him, but he still fights them whenever he can, defies them at every opportunity.  He is however terrified of the powers that he has found to be growing within himself.

Cewyn is the educated son of a local duke, but his knowledge and political upbringing is no match against his magical abductors.  He is more scared of defying them than as to the far worse things that are in store for him.

Will we return to this world in future books?
I am currently working on the sequel to this one as well as two others in different genres.

Promise to come back and talk to us about the sequel when you’re done. In the meantime, do you have a website where we can keep track of your progress?
http://markbrisby13.wordpress.com/.

How can we follow you on Twitter and/or Facebook?
@MarkBrisby13.

Tell us about yourself.
I live in Fairfax, Virginia.  I like dogs and cats, but currently only have a cat (domesticated lynx).  I like taking walks in nature, bowling, playing catch, tv/movies/dvds, video games, books of course, and just about anything having to do with ancient Rome.

What’s next?
Promotion, continue trying to get out all of the ideas in my head before it explodes, and definitely more eating and sleeping.