Cover for the new novel Looking for the King by David C. Downing

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Reviews of Toward the Gleam

  • "HogPo Interview with T.M. Doran" – Hogwarts Professor. "The subject was so daring — a story re-telling how The Lord of the Rings was written, with a host of historical figures from Agatha Christie to Winston Churchill — that I confess I wondered if it was possible to pull it off credibly or as engrossing fiction. . . . Gleam hit on all cylinders."
  • "T.M. Doran's Toward the Gleam" – A Prince of the West. "It is a classic mystery/intrigue story, with visits to exotic European locales, assassination attempts (which Dolan uses as partial explanation of Tolkien's dread of spiders), a seductress, and even a one-eyed pirate."
  • "Toward the Gleam" – The Curt Jester. "A very fine novel that kept me intrigued throughout.... There are serious spiritual and philosophical underpinnings that add to the novel especially in regards to temptation."
  • "Towards the Gleam - A Review" – The Inklings blog. "Many adjectives have been used to describe the sweep of this novel: Intriguing, moving, mysterious, startling, ingenious, horrifying, imaginative and inventive. I would go so far as to say that if you are a fan of Tolkien's sub-creation, this book is a must read. Not only will it amuse and entertain, it will drive you back to the 'Red Book of Westmarch' itself. Wonderful."
  • "Former Legate publishes new novel sure to delight fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis" – legatus.org. "Combining an adventure story with philisophical questions, it is sure to inspire fans of the late greats Tolkien and Lewis."
  • "Like a good fantasy novel – but without the occult trappings? Check out 'Toward the Gleam' " – Women of Grace.

Also see: endorsements and author interviews.