Every time the world falls too far from the Creator’s design, it is remade. But what if someone sought to use this power for themselves?

Gardavia is a world shaped by faith—one where the Creator intervenes not through prophecy or chosen heroes, but through Rebirths. When civilizations stray too far from their purpose, the Creator remakes the world, forging something new from the old. But not everyone sees these Rebirths as divine judgment.

The Defiler’s Greatest Deception

The Defiler believes the Creator’s power can be stolen—but only when the Creator is actively using it. This is why he has spent centuries patiently driving the world toward collapse, believing that when the next Rebirth comes, he will be able to usurp the Creator’s authority and reshape Gardavia in his own image.

Of course, he is wrong. But that doesn’t stop him from trying.

Magic as a Tool of Corruption

In the current era, the Defiler’s weapon of choice is Magic. He has twisted what was once a sacred gift into something dangerous—something feared. While Magic affects each race differently, all have suffered from its corruption.

For humans, the consequences are the most severe. When a human awakens to Magic, it is no longer a blessing—it is a curse. They are doomed to madness and death, with no known cure. In their descent, they often wield Magic in uncontrollable, destructive ways.

Over generations, this has led humanity to fear Magic itself—and to fear those who wield it.

Faith in the Unknown

The Creator’s will is mysterious, and those who still hold faith struggle to understand the balance of mercy and judgment. Are the Rebirths an act of destruction or renewal? Can the world be saved before another Rebirth occurs?

These are the questions that drive The Curse of Magic.

Explore Gardavia & Get a Free Map

If you want to explore Gardavia for yourself, I’m offering a free high-resolution map of the world. You can get yours here: BernonBooks.com.

Coming Soon…

Next time, I’ll introduce Burnt Ends – a Sticks and Stone Adventure, my Southern Grit novel available in June 2025, and talk about why I chose a small Texas town and 1983 as the setting.