GRAND PRIZE WINNER Chanticleer International Book Awards Overall Best Book of 2023 GRAND PRIZE WINNER CIBA Best Series of 2024 OZMA Grand Prize Winner for Fantasy Fiction (2023) He wakes with nothing but a prophecy and a letter that makes him question everything. In a kingdom where magic means death and prophecies foretell destruction, Zephyrus finds himself trapped between two impossible destinies: a letter naming him an emissary of peace, and a prophecy marking him as either savior or destroyer. But with his memories shattered and his closest friend murdered before his eyes, even survival seems like a distant hope. Forced into the arena as a gladiator in the royal games, Zephyrus must navigate a deadly web of court intrigue, divine manipulation, and his own fractured past. Every victory brings him closer to freedom, but also closer to uncovering a truth that could tear the kingdom apart. As gods wage their own wars using mortals as pawns, Zephyrus must decide: Will he become the weapon of liberation his people need, or the peacemaker his enemies claim he was meant to be? Yet the most dangerous game isn't in the arena… It's in the shadows of the court, where queens plot secret revolutions, princes play with fire and call it “honor and justice,” and even the gods themselves can't be trusted. With his very identity hanging in the balance, Zephyrus must answer one question before it's too late: How do you choose your destiny when you can't remember who you were meant to be? First in a completed trilogy that readers call "breathtaking," "masterfully crafted," and "impossible to put down," THE SCALES OF BALANCE weaves prophecy, betrayal, and divine intervention into an epic tale of survival, defiance, and the price of freedom. Perfect for readers who love: High Stakes Arena Combat - Complex Political Intrigue - Fantasy Prophecies & Real World Applications - Military fantasy with Magical Elements - Stories of Identity, Destiny, and Redemption SPARTACUS meets GAME OF THRONES in a world magic, mythology, and warring gods in this completed, award-winning Epic Fantasy trilogy. "Arena-set action sequences shine ... but even more impressive is the constant political maneuvering, as characters mingle with enemies while plotting against them. There is, of course, plenty of mystery, and Facciola amps up excitement with signs of magic, appearances from gods, and betrayals." — Kirkus Reviews ★★★★½ "A sprawling cast of vivid characters and a meticulously crafted realm, with exposition and world-building unraveling seamlessly alongside the plot...an original work of fantasy that doesn't trod familiar ground" — Self-Publishing Review "A captivating fantasy with strong characters and even stronger combat scenes ... It is difficult to overstate the storytelling prowess of author Tim Facciola." — Independent Book Review Chanticleer International Book Awards BEST BOOK OF 2023 Ozma GRAND PRIZE WINNER for best Fantasy Fiction "This is probably the best trilogy I've read in a long time." — Let Zygons be Zygons This series has been a labor of love for ten years. Inspired by the imaginative works of Brandon Sanderson, the gut-wrenching characterization of Joe Abercrombie, and the deep lore of George RR Martin's stories, this series has changed my life. It is my hope that it can inspire others to want to create the same way these authors have inspired me. With so many great books to read and stories to get lost in, thank you for considering mine. May this world be the haven for you that it has been for me. Happy reading :) When Tim isn't writing epic fantasy, he can often be found in his garage-gym or in the mountains where he lives. A virtual fitness professional by trade, he integrates his creative passions into movement, training with maces, clubs, staves, and swords to unlock his inner gladiator.   More than writing, reading, gaming, playing music, hiking, and paddle-boarding, Tim loves story. If he's not working on his own story, he's helping others develop theirs as an author coach.   Living in Arizona with his wife, Colleen, Tim continues writing epic fantasy novels while exploring different storytelling mediums so he can inspire others to hope. To live. And to believe.