We’re thrilled to have Fred Darkness with us today to discuss his gripping fantasy novel, The Chronicles of the Chosen Undead: Book 1 – The Gifts of the Dark God. Set in a world where gods have fallen, humanity is on the brink of collapse, and the undead walk the earth, Fred’s debut novel takes readers on an epic journey through sorcery, dark prophecies, and a cursed hero, Rhys. With dark fantasy and action-packed adventure at its core, The Gifts of the Dark God promises a thrilling start to a saga filled with fate, destiny, and unimaginable choices.
In this interview, Fred shares insights into the world-building, character development, and the inspiration behind his dark and complex story. Join us as we explore the mind of an author who crafts tales where light may only be found through the deepest shadows.
Q: Your book introduces a world where gods have perished, and darkness has overtaken humanity. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind creating such a complex and bleak world?
My main sources of inspiration are the manga Berserk by Kentaro Miura and the lore of one of the most famous video games ever: Dark Souls.
Q: Rhys, the protagonist, is a cursed undead with a mysterious past. What motivated you to craft a character so deeply intertwined with darkness, yet holding the potential for a redemptive journey?
Rhys is the character who most clearly develops the basic concept of this book and the whole saga: to endure and overcome pain will make us stronger. Only by suffering can man reach a deeper knowledge of himself and discover an inner strength that he often does not imagine to have. This is Rhys’s destiny: to prove that it is in the deepest darkness that the most dazzling lights are born.
Q: The concept of the Primeval Flame plays a significant role in your story. How does this ancient power shape the narrative, and what does it symbolize in the larger context of the book’s themes?
The Flame is the greatest source of magical energy in the world I describe, but also the source used by the gods to create the souls of men. The fact that it is dying out is a sign that even the souls of human beings are dying because they are overwhelmed by the darkness resulting from the evil they have done and their negative feelings.
Q: Your novel draws comparisons to dark souls-inspired works and epic fantasy series. Are there any particular influences—be it books, games, or personal experiences—that helped shape the world and lore of The Gifts of the Dark God?
The dark tone also comes from a personal story particularly painful, but I prefer not to talk about this.
Q: The Keras, goddesses who control humanity’s fate, are key to the story’s unfolding. How do their roles and the relationships between them and Rhys drive the plot forward?
At first the Keres are used to explain his situation to Rhys, in the continuation of the saga they rarely appear, but the theme of destiny and free will is at the base of all the work.
Q: In The Gifts of the Dark God, there’s a constant tug-of-war between light and darkness. How do you approach balancing these elements in your storytelling, and how does this reflect the internal conflict of Rhys?
The theme of the contrast between light and darkness is a transposition of the alternation of the forces of Ying and Yang. The novel shows how man, and in particular Rhys, is the connecting link between the macrocosm in which these two forces operate and a microcosm, his consciousness, where good and evil, love and hate face each other.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from Rhys’s journey in this first book of the series, and how will his story evolve in future installments of The Chronicles of the Chosen Undead?
This novel is a testament to the enduring power of hope and the human spirit’s ability to shine brightly even in the face of overwhelming darkness. I wish that the series I wrote would teach anyone the law that even in the strongest despair there is always a hope, as in the darkest darkness can hide the light. As Rhys rises from the dead, so we can rise from our sufferings stronger than before.
Mr. Fred Darkness’ Book is available on the Kindle Store:
