Writing Myth & Metal
Hi there! My name is Rob. I have always been a lover of fantastical stories and wrote my own variations on Greek myths at a young age. These stories expanded into what is now the ongoing Pathlighter Trilogy. My main inspirations being that of Mythology and Heavy Metal, I write stories that feature a heavy dose of both! Whether you’re a metalhead, a fan of fantasy, or a lover of gripping tales, you’ll find no shortage of compelling stories in my books!
My Books
Pathlighter
James is convinced that the gods have cursed him, left to fend for himself in a squalid city-state in the clutches of a corrupt theocracy. As a lamplighter, James serves the palace by illuminating the streets each night with a flame from the gods’ temple. Despite his disdain for the gods, he feels a connection with the flame, and a surprising yet small amount of control over its brightness.
For him, a quiet life weathering the desert was all he had to look forward to. That is, until others appear. From distant corners of the world, each has connective power to the gods, and each a past of great consequence. A soldier, an idealist, a hero, and a monster.
Each squabbles according to their own desires, but cannot afford to exist alone any longer. Ancient devils and horrors beyond time have come to reclaim the world from the gods, but the forms they take and power they wield are anything but understood.
Performances of a Death Metal Bard: A Brutal Novella
Unfortunately, Death Metal doesn’t get much play in this sleepy, peaceful, actually kind of boring kingdom. Of course not. It’s tough inventing a genre on your own, and it doesn’t help when all the instruments you’ve tried up to this point don’t match the brutality necessary for a dark and heavy performance.
My coin only seems to be enough to get me to the next run-down village, and it’s dwindling fast.
To make matters worse, my newest lute is not normal. It never stays in tune, it’s barely holding together, and it keeps whispering to me. Over and over, demands for vengeance and murder echo in my head, with the promise that I’ll find the sound I need if I just listen to the voices.
So what’s a starving bard to do?
Performances of a Death Metal Bard is a brutal fantasy adventure inspired by The Witcher and Metalocalypse, merging the episodic travels of a musical elf with the darkness, blood, and raw riffs of the heaviest metal the kingdom has ever seen.
Coming Soon…..
THREADSTEALER: Book II in the Pathlighter Trilogy
“Leigh manages to create a really spectacular story, mixing themes such as grief, loss, and found family with the tension of having to combat against demons while not knowing if you can trust in those on your side.”
—Jamedi, Jam Reviews
“…Non-stop action, compelling characters, intriguing villains, and expansive worldbuilding.”
—Quinn Giguiere, Silverstones Blog
“The character arcs in this book are amazing, each one intermingling with the other whilst still keeping a sense of individuality. Hints at the world's history are tossed in, just the right amount to show the sheer size of the world without clogging you down with information, and it leaves you wanting to learn more.”
—R.B. Leyland, Goodreads
Praise for Pathlighter
“Elemental fantasy meets ancient Greek mythology? Sign me up!”
—Bryan Wilson, Author of The Power of the Stars Series
“This is a great debut from a Break-ins author! You don't want to miss this one.”
—Anie M, SFF Insider
“Loved the book! Will be looking out for the sequels!”
—Amazon Reviewer
“A page turner that really leaves you hanging for more at the end. Indie fantasy once again proves its place amongst the greats, and I’m excited to see where Rob takes this series!”
—Joshua Walker, Author of An Exile of Water and Gold
“There are themes of loss, tragedy, betrayal, and family. I found myself getting lost in the story of James and what he endures, not only personally, but through his friends and journeymen, alike.”
—Beard of Darkness Book Reviews
“Leigh's world is fascinating. The concept of distant, perhaps even absent, gods, and the rise of other entities vying for control, creates a compelling backdrop. The magic system, with its inherent costs and limitations, adds a layer of realism to the fantastical elements.”
—Abel Montero, Author of The Crimson Fire
“The kick in the ass fantasy needed, it’s brutal, honest, and utterly true to itself.”
—Michael R. Fletcher
“Thrilling, unique, brutal and wholeheartedly metal! Performances of a Death Metal Bard is an adventurous fantasy novella about finding one's place in the world and more importantly, vengeance.”
—Kayla, Kay’s Hidden Shelf
“A brutal, riffalicious story that will take you on an epic journey of shredding a demonic lute at tavern gigs, slaying monsters and saving the realm. 5/5 cannibal corpse growls.”
—Calum Lott, Author of Arkoma
“Fists up team, you’re about to be sucked into a fantasy mosh pit … and it’s friggin awesome.”
—A Fictional Escapist
“It features vignette-style adventures similar to the Witcher books, except if these adventures feature Jaskier as a corpse-painted lute-wielding hero.”
—Tatiana Obey, Author of Sistah Samurai
“I have been sitting here trying to figure out the best words to describe it. The raw emotions and feeling, the exploration of being your true self against what others might say, just how much raw emotions are truly behind something like death metal...”
—Goodreads Reviewer