Tears of Ugh: Part I

Tired of the same played out Young Adult and Fantasy Stories? Want to immerse yourself in a fantasy world that doesn't have blood and torture on every other page?


Then prepare to enter a place where all other countries’ borders end, a tribal pre-industrial land called Ugh. With unforgiving landscape and unyielding people, inspired by the author’s two deployments to Afghanistan, Ugh provides the backdrop for an incredible tale of courage and love. The story focuses on a young man and young woman’s journey to prevent an invasion plotted by Ugh’s nefarious leaders. This novel’s fresh voices draw the reader to many characters from different sides of the impending conflict.


We begin with Jor, a young man with a yearning to discover the world outside of the stables where he lives and works. Under his pillow, Jor finds the war diary of his deceased father. It was placed there mysteriously with a note from “V”. Jor, who only knows his father through legends of his heroism, reads the diary and discovers his father was a deserter. Learning why his father deserted from the army begins to challenge Jor’s concept of what war really is. 


Above Jor’s stables looms the Puddin’ Palace, a stronghold for the rich families of Ugh and the home of its patriarch, Heavy Puddin’. While “V” secretly listens, Heavy Puddin’ finalizes the plan to start another war by manipulating The Kingdom of the Conquered Sea to invade Ugh. “V” immediately sets Jor out on an ostrich across Ugh to the coast to meet the invading king and turn him away. On the journey, Jor discovers that the ostrich he rides is an ancient, wise and bitter spirit named Kaw who has given up on humans after watching so many kill and be killed by each other.


Jor is quickly captured by Sooth, a young tribal woman who agrees to escort him to the edge of Ugh.


Part II (released on December 24th) unfolds as Sooth, who initially despises Jor because of his inexperience and naivety, begins to admire him as they meet other warriors who join the group. Each one is from a different side of the coming invasion but all unite behind Jor to prevent it, even the bitter Kaw. As he journeys forward, Jor sees firsthand what is left out of the histories—the gruesome toll that war takes on the human spirit. Sooth and Jor unknowingly discover what powers humanity through these troubling times, the power of love. Jor’s naïve positive attitude compels the group forward to stop Heavy Puddin’s diabolical plans. If they fail the countryside will again be torn apart by violence and more of Ugh’s tears will be cried.


This is only Part I of Book I. I cannot wait to share this world with you. I look forward to our journey together.


If you want to experience a new world, that is not a repeat of the same Fantasy and Young Adult formula; creative, new and fresh voices; and free from gratuitous violence then download and read this book.