The Book of Waiting (Book One Of The Wightblade Chronicles) By Author L. Philipp Naughton
Cover Blurb
The Wightblade Chronicles is an original epic fantasy series with deeply woven plots, full of distinctive individuals and descriptive locations. It is set on the world of Terra Nostra with mythical links to another planet via the Portal of the Void. The Time-Glass turns. The Threads of Destiny twist. The Book of Waiting must be found…. Beniamino Carnevale, a young kinsman, is unexpectedly thrust into the wealthy and venerated Academium of Ventorium. Joining a select group in Magical Studies, he discovers that his surname alone can inspire fear. Those who tormented him as a child will now stop at nothing, including mind probing, to prevent him developing his erratic magic. The Academium is not the tranquil place its façade suggests. Evil is brooding, watching, waiting.
Other Titles By the Author
L. Philipp Naughton
Author Bio
L. Philipp Naughton is a Scottish multi-genre author whose writing journey began long before the publication of his first novel. Born abroad to British parents in 1957, Laurence returned to the UK at the age of two and spent much of his childhood moving around the country. Frequent changes of school made life challenging, but a gifted teacher helped unlock his love of reading and writing, setting him on a creative path that would stay with him throughout his life.
His first attempt at storytelling came at the age of sixteen with a science fiction tale inspired by The War of the Worlds. Although life and career commitments meant writing often took a back seat, he continued to nurture his creativity through articles and features for company magazines. Encouragement also came from home, where his mother, herself a published author, demonstrated that a life in writing was possible.
The spark that reignited Laurence's passion for storytelling arrived unexpectedly in 2011 during a bus journey to Edinburgh. Inspired to finally pursue his ambitions, he began work on what would become The Wightblade Chronicles, launching a writing career that led to the self-publication of his first novel in 2017 and a growing catalogue of work across multiple genres.
Today, Laurence writes Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction, Supernatural Fiction and Crime, creating memorable characters, compelling situations and immersive worlds inspired by a lifetime of travel, observation and experience. A regular contributor to the Scottish literary community, he writes annually for the Scottish Book Trust, has been featured in one of their anthologies, and recently appeared at CYMERA, Scotland's national festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror writing. His science fiction novel A.I.M.E. was awarded Silver in the 2025 Book Dragon Literary Awards.
Laurence lives in Central Scotland with his wife and family. When he is not writing, he enjoys theatre, gardening, miniature figure painting and exploring an eclectic collection of films from around the world. A keen observer of people and places, he continues to draw inspiration from the world around him, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to every story he writes.
The Book Tour
Day 1 - Favourite Quotes
Day 2 - Character Summaries
Benianimo - This book follows many different character POVs. But the main POV we follow from the very beginning, and whose adventures and problems seem linked to many other lives in Terra Nostra, is Benianimo Carnevale. He immediately stands out as a noble kinsman, interested in protecting those around him. He is bullied a lot as a child, and once again when he is admitted to the Academy. A lot of dark forces are at play around him, yet thankfully he also meets allies along the way. His integrity and good heartedness protect him as well. His mirthfulness, curiosity, kindness and chaotic burgeoning magic make him a standout hero in his hero’s journey, avoiding tropes. His stubbornness to keep going is what makes him stand out, and keeps me rooting for him, to keep discovering and finding out more about the strange new world he’s a part of, start plucking threads that are ensnaring him. He is at the beginning of his journey, and it is exciting to see what else will happen in the ensuing books. (Sophie Jupillat Posey)
Theodor - Theodor the Over Eccentric is the perfect mentor, understanding everyone encounters as a student of the department. A wise old man to many, this line sums him up perfectly. “Theodor was not only a professor of renown but, probably, the greatest living white-level mage in Ephaleon. Despite that, there were some things he could not do; read or enter minds, foretell the future or travel to the past. As the story progresses, we learn about the complexities of his character - and his past. We can truly connect with him, more so than his students. His vulnerabilities and openness with a select few gives insights that we’d never have guessed as his character develops. (Yvonne Marrs)
Isalaura - Beniamino’s mother, Isalaura Carnavale nee Serenitas, is my most memorable character in the book. While she is not a main character by any means, it is she who is the constant in Beniamino’s life. Widowed young, she resisted the temptation to marry the town bully, even though it meant that she would only scrape a living for her son and herself. She is a strong, hard-working woman who does her best for her son. We see her sporadically throughout the story as she tries to ensure her son has the best start in life. (Phoebe Wilby)
Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts
“Protector Figures can be very powerful against unwanted intrusions. You said his, do you know who it was Snowpearl?” (Sophie Jupillat Posey)
“Simultaneously all the examination papers burst into a flash of silver fire and a column of white smoke gathered in a swirl above the bench. This transformed into a large pigeon with black streaks and a silver-grey beak. After hopping onto the Professor's hand, it flew out of a circular, white-framed window into a clear-blue sky that had simply not been in the ceiling a few momenti before.” (Yvonne Marrs)
He had never thrown that ball at Mavericus, but he had wanted to then and he wanted to now, oh so very, very badly and right now. Ice that was ice became a torrent of fire and he was convinced the skin of his palm was searing off and dropping like charcoal dust to the floor. A sharp thud and an agonising yelp hurtled between his ears then ricocheted around his skull, followed swiftly by a weight, ever heavier pressing on his chest, and a repetitive thumping right in the middle of his forehead. The figure in the old wooden bed, jerked, moaned and gave a sharp hiss of breath as restless dreams gave way to a woken reality. (Phoebe Wilby)
Day 4 - Video Interview
Day 5 - Reviews
Overall Star Rating: 4.5 Stars This was such an enjoyable epic fantasy adventure filled with memorable characters, imaginative worldbuilding, and a strong sense of wonder. Beniamino is an exceptionally likeable protagonist. He is kind-hearted, resilient, and refreshingly genuine despite the many hardships he faces. I found myself becoming increasingly invested in his journey and genuinely frustrated by the constant schemes, prejudices, and obstacles placed in his path. Whether dealing with the arrogance of Mavericus and his cronies, or the manipulations of powerful figures around him, Beniamino consistently remains someone worth rooting for. The supporting cast is equally strong. Characters such as Theodor, Laurentina, Marigold, Fiffle, and Snowpearl each bring something unique to the story, whether humor, wisdom, loyalty, or mystery. Their interactions with Beniamino help create a world that feels vibrant and lived-in, and the dialogue is one of the novel's greatest strengths. Conversations feel natural, entertaining, and often reveal important aspects of character and relationships. The worldbuilding is particularly creative and detailed! From the Academium and its magical studies to the unusual races, creatures, dialects, customs, and magical systems, the setting feels rich and distinctive. It took a while to get into, but it all falls into place beautifully as the story goes. The author introduces a remarkable amount of lore while maintaining a sense of discovery and adventure, keeping the story going. The plot itself is more intricate than it first appears, gradually weaving together secrets, ancient knowledge, political tensions, magical mysteries, and hidden agendas. I especially appreciated/hated that several antagonistic characters are genuinely unpleasant and threatening without feeling one-dimensional or clichéd; their motivations and actions add real tension to the story. The pacing definitely kept me invested, balancing adventure, mystery, humor, and character growth effectively. Overall, this is a creative and immersive fantasy novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy richly imagined worlds, a colorful ensemble cast, and a protagonist whose triumphs feel genuinely earned. (Sophie Jupillat Posey)
Overall Star Rating: 4.5 Stars The Wightblade Chronicles Book 1: The Book of Waiting is the first in a fantasy series created by L Phillipp Naughton. It takes a special author to create a whole different world for their characters, and usually this is a genre I enjoy. However, this story was too convoluted in parts for me, thus not as enjoyable as I’d anticipated. Set on the world of Terra Nostra, we follow the main character, Beniamino Carnevale, as he is selected to join the Academium of Ventorium for a course in Magical Studies. With a mix of unusual well crafted, multi-dimensional characters who interact seamlessly with engaging exchanges. The moderate pacing across the story with a mix of scenes of both action and reflection keeps the reader’s interest until the last page. Readers are left wanting more! (Yvonne Marrs)
Overall Star Rating: 4.5 Stars L Philipp Naughton’s The Book of Waiting is a well-crafted fantasy tale of emerging magic in one who has no idea he has any magical ability at all. Beniamino Carnavale’s birth certificate states that he may be related to one of the Four Hundred, the followers of ychlion the Wanderer, although this is explained away as a mix-up. Beniamino’s father is murdered while he is yet a small child and so he is brought up solely by his mother, with some occasional help from his father’s brother. They are poor and as such, Beniamino and his childhood friend, Marigold, suffer bullying from the son of the wealthiest landowner in the region. After an incident where this bullying child is hurt and after he has been inconclusively tested for magical abilities, Beniamino is separated from his only friend when Marigold is sent away. What follows is a story of how Beniamino captures the interest of one of the Professor of Ancientology and Magic at the Academium and thus his training in magic begins – not particularly successfully at first. The story flows well, and, bearing in mind that it is the first book of The Wightblade Chronicles so there is plenty of time for this to come to a full conclusion, it is a captivating story. The characters are believable with an appropriate mix of good and bad. The bully is particularly convincing as the mindless puppet of his equally evil father and is surrounded appropriately by his sycophants. Beniamino’s support cast increases when he attends the Academium to include a fairy, two elf-wraiths, and some of the more enlightened professors, including, of course, his mentor. L Philipp Naughton builds an intricate world of time, magical and political systems. I found it difficult at first to come to grips with the cycles of time passing, but it didn’t take too long before it became the norm. This book is aimed at the higher end of young adult readers, and is also appealing to the older reader of epic fantasy. (Phoebe Wilby)
Book Tour Reviewers
