Get ready to explore the thrilling and sinister world of The Amber Menhir, the newest work from the creative mind of Jonathan N. Pruitt. Here, you will delve into the shadows of an empire filled with scandal, defiance, and blood-drinking intellectuals with an aptitude for slaying those who defy the prevailing order.

Pruitt is well-versed in the baleful side of things. This writer admits he's at his best when creating scenes set in mysterious, often overlooked, academic worlds. Think of him as a modern storyteller, deeply rooted in the world of higher education, using strong reasoning and wit to make readers reconsider their beliefs.

However, success didn't come easily for Pruitt. For several tough years, he became the main character in a real-life drama, facing rejection and social media pressure to abandon writing The Amber Menhir, and its successors too. But, like any good story, these challenges only rendered Pruitt more determined. He's someone unafraid of controversy; in fact, he seems to welcome it, deftly facing the criticisms that come his way. It is perhaps no wonder why Canada recruited him as one of the world’s greatest minds for their 150th-anniversary.

The Amber Menhir, the first in Pruitt’s The Shadows of the Monolith series, offers readers diverse viewpoints, and in a lovably sardonic tone, that only a once-mired intellectual could deliver. Pruitt hopes to engage readers by encouraging them to find humor even in the bleakest of situations. In Pruitt’s pages, readers will find pluralism and satisfying conclusions too, a rare combination in today's literary world.

Pruitt’s first installment is a spicy treat for those who love fantasy, enjoy a diverse group of characters, relish magical school settings, or enjoy questioning the time-honored rules of the road in our own world. It's like Animal Farm, but with its own malevolent touch. The Amber Menhir digs deep into society's issues, to say the unsayable. Pruitt doesn't just tell a story; he shows society's contradictions, where dream worlds and nightmares are just two aspects of the same reality. He warns us that, when we strive for progress, we must be careful—what's perfect for one person can instill terror in another.

The idea of change and starting over is a big part of Pruitt's debut. His characters each face significant life changes that they must fight their way through. The story reminds us that change is an inevitable part of life. Pruitt’s own tale echoes how we must all, at some moment, change ourselves, and it's a slow and tough process, but worth it in the end.

While reading through Pruitt's rich world, having a reading buddy is perhaps a good idea. Discussing the book openly enriches the experience, as you will see things you'd miss on your own. Such collaborations promise to be mind-expanding and eye-opening.

The Amber Menhir doesn't just stretch one’s imagination; it questions the order of global society, reexamining how we acquire, interpret, and trust the information that bombards us each day. It's where thoughts from people like Jordan Peterson and Ayn Rand, love them or hate them, meet their match in fantasy, and where traditional right-wing and left-wing ideas face serious challenges. It asks the tough questions that many dare not pose aloud, let alone disclose upon the page.

Ready for a reality check? The Amber Menhir invites you into a world of chaos and controversy. Dive in, shake up your thoughts, and let this captivating story sweep you off your feet.