Some legends are meant to be forgotten. Others refuse to stay buried. Fourteen-year-old Maximillian Tuck never set out to uncover an ancient mystery. But when a schoolyard rivalry ends with him trading a prized possession for his late father’s pocket watch, Max stumbles onto a secret that has slept beneath the town of Gladwin for half a century. With his best friend Bean and his spirited seven-year-old sister Bree at his side, Max follows a trail of clues into the heart of the Great Forest—an ancient place whispered about in old miners’ tales. Beneath its shadowy canopy and tangled roots lies the entrance to a forgotten world: an abandoned mine where time has a way of bending, shadows seem to breathe, and a light of impossible beauty is said to have once shone. But the legend of the Mountain of Light is more than a story. It is a force that changes those who find it—sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. As the three companions delve deeper underground, they encounter strange artifacts, cryptic riddles, and the lingering presence of those who vanished long ago. The air grows colder, the walls seem to listen, and somewhere in the darkness, something is waiting. And always—just beyond sight—the Hunter follows. No one knows his name. No one knows his face. Sometimes he moves with the stillness of a shadow, other times with the deliberate tread of someone who knows exactly where his prey will be. His presence is felt in the breathless pauses between heartbeats, in the faint rustle of leaves when the forest should be still, in the way the darkness sometimes feels as though it’s watching back. Is he a man bound by a deadly purpose? A ghost tied to the mine’s deepest secrets? Or something older, born from the very ground they walk on? Whatever he is, the Hunter is patient, relentless… and closer than they dare to imagine. Each step toward the truth tests their courage, trust, and the strength of their friendship. A wrong move could trap them forever in a place where the past refuses to let go. And as they uncover the final pieces of the puzzle, Max must face an even greater question—one that could alter his life, and the fate of everyone he loves: Is the Mountain of Light a gift… or a trap? Rich with atmosphere, pulsing with suspense, and layered with secrets that span generations, The Gods of Gladwin and The Mountain of Light is the first book in a sweeping adventure series that blends mystery, history, and a touch of the supernatural. Perfect for a family read aloud or fans of Holes , Treasure Island , and The Chronicles of Narnia , it will transport readers into a world where courage is tested, the past is never truly gone, and the smallest choices can change everything. But beware—once you step into the shadows of Gladwin, the story won’t let you go. The Hunter will follow. The light will call to you. And like Max, you may find yourself asking… if the truth is worth the cost.