Of Light and Life there is The Book of Light
Of all that has been or will be corrupted, there is The Book of Darkness
One empowers individuals
The other has power over them
Deep in the heart to each one of us lie innocence, malice, and an irreconcilable struggle for mastery over our souls. Alternately, they call out to us, each promising great reward if we will but ally ourselves with one or the other. But without a guide we cannot reach, nor understand or choose between them. To one belongs The Book of Darkness, revealed in the following pages. If unopposed, it seeks its victim and is implacably victorious.
To the other belongs The Book of Light and a word (Eucatastrophe), but it must be found or its powerful message will be lost forever to the one who needs it most. But if a guide to the heart steps forward, then the person he summons can follow the navigator to the realm of indefatigable innocence. The Chronicles of Narnia are one way; The Lord of the Rings, another. But Mark Glamack offers a third way with an unpredictable page turner and an ending so surprising as to be utterly true to life in the world as we know it.
Littluns creates a path into human experience that guides us to the very core of our soul—providing a key to peace and endurance as we await the renewal of the world at the end of time.
The story of Littluns begins long ago, and far away, somewhere between reality and eternity, where there became a self-contained land of mountains, deserts, valleys, and plains that reached far and wide to the shores and spotted islands on a deep blue sea. This land was named Terra Fermata for the sake of the new earth’s musical pause of harmony and peace after the war to end all wars concluded with its long history now all but completely forgotten. Disturbingly, over recent years, the blessings of peace and harmony were replaced with anarchy and chaos where its inhabitants, once again, through jealousies, intolerances, indifferences, and greed, began turning on their neighbors.
The lands of Terra Fermata have many cities and towns connected by an intricate series of roads and rivers. There’s the isolated northern city of Ephesus Cam Coo Nick to which few have journeyed because of its bitter cold and rugged terrain. However, those seeking spiritual enlightenment make the journey to this city before continuing the long and challenging climb up Marble Mountain to a retreat, a community of holy men at its summit. Once or twice a year an enlightened few, returning home with supplies, join the community’s residents. Its name is Atrium Nimbus, the Monastery of Light. It is written that, in ancient times, the heavens opened over the summit of Marble Mountain and a monastery was miraculously created. It was given a name of illumination and, to this day, that name, Atrium Nimbus, means entrance to the circle of light. Here also, God wrote of love, hope, joy, the heart’s desires and enlightenment and named it Eucatastrophe, the Book of Light, and Life. The first two letters of the title, Eu, reverse and remove all the resulting and damaging effects of a catastrophe, changing its meaning completely. Those who are of the Light will have their names entered for all time in this Book and will have become worthy of His omnipresent Light by virtue of enduring the trial He sent them.
In recent times, other interests, diversions, and a loss of faith have prevailed. There have been even fewer willing to brave the harsh elements to reach the holy cleansing and sanctity of the mountain’s retreat. Many creatures, including goblins, trolls, dwarves, man, mutants, and one surviving serpant, Dragon inhabit this land along with others who are less conspicuous. Least conspicuous of all and only a myth to outsiders were, or I should say are, Littluns. Talk of Littluns, or Fairy–fairies as the dwarf children call them, has become a part of dwarf folklore that goes back as far as anyone can remember. Over the years dwarf children would dress up with large ears made of woven straw connected together into a hat-like dome that sat over their heads, covered with woolen strands that looked like hair. They then would make large sock–like slippers sewn with loose wool strands that would result in the appearance of furry feet. Of course, to accurately complete their fun, the dwarf boy or girl must be no more than three feet tall. Over the years many sightings of Littluns have been the topic of conversations until, of course, the dwarf children are caught in the act.
Although Littluns are just an ancient myth, unbeknownst to the rest of the world, Littluns really do exist! Northwest from the city of Ephesus Cam Coo Nick and hidden within the impenetrable snow–covered exterior walls of Powder Mountain, and secret to the rest of the world, is God’s perfect creation, the protected, self–contained, pure and peaceful valley of Hollow Hills, and Land of the Littluns. The crater valley is thousands of feet above the base of the mountain with only one accessible entrance and one exit, keeping outsiders away.
The outside world below holds little interest to Littluns. It’s not that they don’t know about such things and what goes on out there; they know very well about the chaos and discord and the importance of remaining removed from such things.
However, once every year or two, sometime round the third and sixth full Moons, the Littleton Town Council selects five of its citizens to journey down Powder Mountain into the outside world. It’s a scavenger hunt. The only rules are that anything they bring back must not belong to else. An example would be, you aren’t allowed to climb a tree to get an apple, but you can take the apple if it’s fallen onto the ground. No one ever worries about the rules because every Littlun is taught, from a very young age, that stealing is wrong and no Littlun would ever consider such an act — it just wouldn’t be Littlun.
Littluns is about Truth, Love, Hope, Joy, Enlightenment, and the Heart’s Desire, the experience of Eucatastrophe, The book of Light and Life. It offers a compelling yet disturbing look into a prophetic future where events can be disguised, people easily deceived, and truth restricted to only those who embrace it. This is a story of extremes and the choice we all have for good or evil, the Light or darkness.
Littluns is an action–packed, exciting alternative for millions of readers. It, too, will be marked with controversy because of its powerful theme, but in contrast, its enlightened values cannot be disputed and will live forever in this mythical world of wonder and enchantment that will warm your soul.
REVIEW
Reviewed by Audrey Greenwell
I loved the book "Littluns, AND THE BOOK OF DARKNESS!!!" I am looking forward to reading the sequel!! There has to be one! I found the travels of Sneetz, both exciting and frustrating! I wanted so badly for the one issue to be different although it was what it had to be! A very creative solution!
His Grossness will create a wonderful image in a child's mind as his descriptive sounds and utterances cause giggles galore!
Mark Glamack has taken the best of many thoughts of enlightened souls and turned it into a tale that will weave joy and intrigue through the imaginations of young and old alike.
The Littluns is a wonderful story! The characters immediately draw you into this fantasy novel. Once inside the story, you feel yourself transported into this world of magic. Awesome.
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What could possibly happen?
Every precaution is taken that nothing will happen on an annual outing of renewal.In the very secret Hollow Hills, civic duty calls upon five Littluns to go out into the land of Terra Fermata and find new things to bring back. Being completely isolated from the rest of Terra Fermata, the Littlun way of life is innocent, and very happy.
Out they go… where an outing becomes a journey of survival against the most wretched characters you will ever meet, and the pinnacle of consummate evil, The Necromancer. So much so, the reader will want to be sure their door is locked and there are more lights on than just the reading lamp!
However, with darkness there must be light(ness) in good storytelling.
Elderond of the light, thank goodness, is brought into the story, which gives healing, and wisdom, with sprinkles of magic that gives the reader a wonderful respite. There are other most astounding characters of light to help console the reader along the way and, whew!, do we need them!
The story is complex but fast moving and easily understood along with many plot twists that I didn’t see coming! Also there is nothing here that parents should find offensive.
Hootsy Bootsy!!
Review by Jim BratkowskyLos Angeles, CA
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Extraordinary, to say the least, “Littluns”, by author and illustrator Mark Glamack, is a novel that is hard to put down. In fact, you would not want to take this book to bed at night hoping that itwill help you fall asleep. Instead, it will keep you up to late in the night!
“Littluns” was such a pleasure to read that I would read it over and over again. Some readers will read the book as pure fantasy, and enjoy the author’s imaginary world. Others will be able to relate to parts of the story, as when making the choice of good or evil, and everyday life encounters. While some will go deeper into the reality and spiritual aspects of this truly brilliant masterpiece.
Mr. Glamack’s properly timed placements of the illustrations will help the reader visualize the animated charactersand environment. Throughout the entire novel, every little detail of the events taking place puts the reader inside the book. I actually found myself acting out some of these details. Mark Glamack’s unique talent will set the stage for the reader, as if you feel that you are in the Movie Theater.
Refreshing, from a Parent’s point of view, is knowing that “Littluns” is written absent of inappropriate and offensive language, and will not affect the onset and continued interest of the reader. The book stays in balance with humor, terror, innocence, action, morals, truth, sadness, hope, and feelings. The reader will find this novel impossible to predict and full of surprises.
It has been an honor and privilege to have been one of the first few chosen to read this unique novel, “Littluns” -- A book of Light.
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