ABOUT THE BOOK
About the book
Based on characters created by Adam Phelps & Joey Gossett
When the fire doesn’t answer, truth still stands.
Marty Dorjan was never meant to be a hero. He’s a comic-book nerd, a gamer, and a kid who senses that something is wrong with the world—but never imagined he would be called to stand against it.
Then he finds the Dark Splinter. A forgotten relic tied to sacred history. A silent witness to the Word that once changed everything. And a power that answers not to anger, pride, or force—but to obedience.
As a global phenomenon called Code of Arms reshapes belief into spectacle and pushes truth to the margins, Marty and his friends discover that real faith is not about dominance or display. It’s about standing firm when truth is costly, quiet, and unseen.
Because darkness doesn’t always roar.
Sometimes it rewrites. And sometimes, the bravest act of faith is to stand—
even when the fire doesn’t come.
BUY THE BOOK
CHOOSE WHICH BOOK FORMAT YOU WOULD LIKE:
Hard Cover
Paper Back
DIGITAL COPY
THE DARK SPLINTERS TOP RANKINGS!
AUTOGRAPHED & OTHER GREAT PRODUCTS!
MEET THE CHARACTERS
MARTY DORJAN / PREACHOR
Role: Reluctant Hero / Speaker of the Word
Marty Dorjan never wanted to be important. He’s thoughtful, awkward, and far more comfortable quoting comic books than leading anyone into danger. He notices when things feel wrong, but he doubts his ability to fix them.
That’s exactly why he’s chosen.
As Preachor, Marty doesn’t wield power through strength or rage. His authority comes from alignment—speaking truth without distortion, pride, or spectacle. When his heart wavers, his power fades. When he listens instead of forcing, the Word moves through him.
Marty’s greatest struggle isn’t fear of darkness—it’s the fear
that he isn’t worthy of standing against it.
Strengths: Humility, empathy, moral clarity
Weaknesses: Self-doubt, reluctance to lead
Defining Truth: Power follows obedience, not confidence
KAT / SCRIB-OR
Role: Keeper of the Written Word
Kat is sharp, perceptive, and rarely fooled by appearances. She sees patterns others miss and speaks with quiet confidence. While Marty often questions himself, Kat understands who he is long before he does.
As Scrib-Or, she wields the Mighty Quill, writing truth into permanence. Her scrolls seal darkness, protect others, and preserve what evil tries to erase or rewrite. Once written, her words cannot be corrupted.
Kat is Marty’s closest ally—and the one person whose faith in him never wavers, even when he’s completely oblivious to what that faith might mean on a deeper level.
Strengths: Insight, precision, emotional intelligence
Weaknesses: Carries burdens silently
Defining Truth: Truth preserved is truth protected
EUGENE / PRAY-OR
Role: Intercessor / Spiritual Anchor
Eugene is nervous, funny, and constantly aware of how unqualified he feels. He jokes when things get scary—not because he doesn’t care, but because he cares deeply.
As Pray-Or, Eugene never fights physically. Instead, he connects the team directly to God through prayer. When Preachor falters, Eugene feels it first. When he prays, strength flows—not as adrenaline, but as balance.
Eugene reminds the team that victory never comes from self-reliance.
Strengths: Faith, loyalty, sincerity
Weaknesses: Fear, self-consciousness
Defining Truth: Dependence is not weakness
CONROY FERREL / TRANSLATOR
Role: Interpreter of Meaning
Conroy Ferrel is calm, deliberate, and deeply thoughtful. As curator of the Tennessee Bible Museum, he has spent his life studying ancient languages, forgotten texts, and corrupted interpretations.
As Translator, Conroy ensures the Word is understood, not merely spoken. Without him, truth can be twisted—sometimes unintentionally. He grounds the team in meaning, context, and restraint.
Conroy knows the history of the Dark Splinter better than anyone alive—and understands the danger of misusing even holy things.
Strengths: Wisdom, patience, clarity
Weaknesses: Bears the weight of knowledge
Defining Truth: Understanding guards against corruption
ANGUS / WORDBREAKOR
Role: Enforcer of Deception
Angus is physically imposing, confident, and terrifyingly convinced of his own righteousness. He doesn’t destroy the Word—he imitates it, twisting fragments into weapons of control.
As Wordbreakor, Angus represents faith without humility and strength without obedience. His power collapses the moment truth is spoken clearly and without force.
Angus’s fall proves that imitation cannot stand against alignment.
Strengths: Strength, intimidation, certainty
Weaknesses: Pride, dependency on false authority
Defining Truth: Power without truth always collapses
DONOVAN BRAEDEN / LUCIFOR
Role: Antagonist / Master of Deception
Lucifor doesn’t rage. He doesn’t shout. He smiles.
Through Donovan Braeden, Lucifor presents himself as a visionary, author, and cultural icon. He doesn’t destroy truth—he reframes it until people no longer recognize it.
Lucifor studies obedience. He waits. He tempts rather than forces. His greatest fear isn’t rebellion—it’s humility.
Lucifor loses not because he is defeated, but because he cannot counterfeit truth spoken without spectacle.
Strengths: Intelligence, patience, manipulation
Weaknesses: Cannot understand obedience without pride
Defining Truth: Deception fails when truth refuses to perform
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
“Fast, intense, and way deeper than I expected.”
— YA Reader
“It feels like a superhero movie with a message.”
— Teen Reader
“Epic action with a heart that actually matters.”
— Fantasy Fan
“It doesn’t preach—it inspires.”
— Reader Review
“More than an adventure—it’s about choosing light in a dark world.”
— Reader Review
“A thrilling fantasy that quietly becomes a spiritual mirror.”
— Reader Review
From the Aurthor: Adam Phelps
This story began long before it knew what it was.
Back in 2010, the first spark of The Dark Splinter came from late-night conversations with my lifelong best friend and brother in every way that mattered, Joey Gossett. Marty Dorjan’s appearance is modeled after Joey, but more importantly, the character carries the humor, loyalty, and heart that defined our friendship.
At first, the story was just a joke—an exaggerated idea inspired by someone we knew at the collectibles store where we worked. It was never meant to be serious. But over time, the characters grew deeper, the world expanded, and the questions behind the story refused to stay small.
As the years passed, The Dark Splinter evolved from a purely secular adventure into a story rooted in faith. Not as a sermon, but as a reflection—one that asks what it means to stand for truth when it’s easier to chase power, popularity, or certainty without obedience.
This is still meant to be a fun story, filled with action, humor, and moments that don’t take themselves too seriously. But at its heart is a simple conviction: faith is not proven by spectacle, but by choosing to stand when the fire doesn’t come.
Thank you for reading, and for taking this journey with me.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the Dark Splinter. Thanks