A land under occupation. A legendary sword. A young man’s journey to find his destiny.
Aren has lived by the rules all his life. He’s never questioned it; that’s just the way things are. But then his father is executed for treason, and he and his best friend Cade are thrown into a prison mine, doomed to work until they drop. Unless they can somehow break free...
But what lies beyond the prison walls is more terrifying still. Rescued by a man who hates him yet is oath-bound to protect him, pursued by inhuman forces, Aren slowly accepts that everything he knew about his world was a lie. The rules are not there to protect him, or his people, but to enslave them. A revolution is brewing, and Aren is being drawn into it, whether he likes it or not.
The key to the revolution is the Ember Blade. The sword of kings, the Excalibur of his people. Only with the Ember Blade in hand can their people be inspired to rise up... but it’s locked in an impenetrable vault in the most heavily guarded fortress in the land. All they have to do now is steal it...
Designed to return to classic fantasy adventures and values, from a modern perspective, this is a fast-moving coming-of-age trilogy featuring a strong cast of diverse characters, brilliant set-pieces and a powerful character and plot driven story.
Read more: The Ember Blade - Chris Wooding
Review: Children of Artifice by Danie Ware
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
- Category: Reviews
Danie Ware's Children of Artifice was published by Fox Spirit Books in June 2018.
Information about Danie Ware:
Danie Ware is the author of the Ecko trilogy. Children of Artifice is her latest novel. She lives in South London.
Click here to visit her official website.
Information about Children of Artifice:
An ancient city, sealed in a vast crater. A history of metallurgical magic, and of Builders that could craft the living, breathing stone.
Caphen Talmar is the high-born son of an elite family, descended from the Builders themselves, his artistic career ruined when his ex-lover broke his fingers.
One night, gambling down at the wharfside - somewhere he shouldn’t have been in the first place - he meets Aden. An uncomplicated, rough-edged dockworker, Aden is everything Caph needs to forget the pressures of his father’s constant criticism.
But this isn’t just another one-night stand. Aden is trying to find his sister, and he needs Caph’s help. Soon, they find themselves tangled in a deadly game of trust, lies and political rebellion.
And, as Caph begins to understand the real depth of the horrors they’ve uncovered, he learns that Aden is not what he seems. And Aden knows more about the coming destruction than Caph could ever have guessed.
REVIEW: CHILDREN OF ARTIFICE BY DANIE WARE
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GUEST POST: Sex and Sensuality in "The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories" by Carina Bissett
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
- Category: Guest Post
Risingshadow has the honour of publishing a guest post by Carina Bissett.
About Carina Bissett:
Carina Bissett is a writer, poet, and educator working primarily in the fields of speculative fiction and interstitial art. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Stonecoast (University of Southern Maine) and has studied with such popular writers and poets as Elizabeth Hand, Nancy Holder, David Anthony Durham, Theodora Goss, Ted Deppe, Cara Hoffman, and Cate Marvin. Her short fiction and poetry has been published in multiple journals including the Journal of Mythic Arts, Mythic Delirium, NonBinary Review, Timeless Tales, Enchanted Conversations, and The Horror ‘Zine. Her work can also be found in numerous anthologies including Hath No Fury, an anthology where women take the lead. She fosters her passion of fairy tale and folklore through creative non-fiction including her research work at the Mythic Imagination Institute and contributions to the three-volume set American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore.
About Hath No Fury:
Mother. Warrior. Caregiver. Wife. Lover. Survivor. Trickster. Heroine. Leader.
This anthology features 21 stories and six essays about women who defy genre stereotypes. Here, it's not the hero who acts while the heroine waits to be rescued; Hath No Fury's women are champions, not damsels in distress. Whether they are strong, bold warriors, the silent but powerful type, or the timid who muster their courage to face down terrible evil, the women of Hath No Fury will make indelible marks upon readers and leave them breathless for more.
Includes stories from Seanan McGuire, Carol Berg, Delilah S. Dawson, Bradley P. Beaulieu, Django Wexler, Philippa Ballantine, Anton Strout, and more!
Links:
GUEST POST: Sex and Sensuality in "The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories" by Carina Bissett
2018 Hugo Award Winners
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
- Category: Fandom
The winners of the 2018 Hugo Awards are:
- Best Novel: The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)
- Best Novella: All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
- Best Novelette: "The Secret Life of Bots" by Suzanne Palmer (Clarkesworld, September 2017)
- Best Short Story: "Welcome to your Authentic Indian Experience™" by Rebecca Roanhorse (Apex, August 2017)
More information can be found here:
http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2018-hugo-awards/
https://www.tor.com/2018/08/20/announcing-the-2018-hugo-award-winners/
Review: The Book of Hidden Things by Francesco Dimitri
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
- Category: Reviews
Francesco Dimitri's The Book of Hidden Things was published by Titan Books in July 2018.
Information about Francesco Dimitri:
Francesco Dimitri is an Italian author and speaker living in London. He is on the Faculty of the School of Life. He is considered one of the foremost fantasy writers in Italy, and his works have been widely appreciated by non-genre readers too. A film has been made from his first novel, La Ragazza dei miei Sogni. The Book of Hidden Things is his debut novel in English.
Information about The Book of Hidden Things:
Four old school friends have a pact: to meet up every year in the small town in Puglia they grew up in. Art, the charismatic leader of the group and creator of the pact, insists that the agreement must remain unshakable and enduring. But this year, he never shows up.
A visit to his house increases the friends’ worry; Art is farming marijuana. In Southern Italy doing that kind of thing can be very dangerous. They can’t go to the Carabinieri so must make enquiries of their own. This is how they come across the rumours about Art; bizarre and unbelievable rumours that he miraculously cured the local mafia boss’s daughter of terminal leukaemia. And among the chaos of his house, they find a document written by Art, The Book of Hidden Things, which promises to reveal dark secrets and wonders beyond anything previously known.
Francesco Dimitri’s first novel written in English, following his career as one of the most significant fantasy writers in Italy, will entrance fans of Elena Ferrante, Neil Gaiman and Donna Tartt. Set in the beguiling and seductive landscape of Southern Italy, this story is about friendship and landscape, love and betrayal; above all it is about the nature of mystery itself.
REVIEW: THE BOOK OF HIDDEN THINGS BY FRANCESCO DIMITRI
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Review: Drums in the Abyss by Michael W. Garza
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
- Category: Reviews
Michael W. Garza's Drums in the Abyss was published by NeverHaven Press in July 2018.
Information about Michael W. Garza:
Michael W. Garza often finds himself wondering where his inspiration will come from next and in what form his imagination will bring it to life. The outcomes regularly surprise him and it's always his ambition to amaze those curious enough to follow him and take in those results. He encourages readers to peek at his latest work as well as the material he's published in the past. He sincerely hopes that everyone will find something that astonishes, surprises, or simply scares the heck out of you.
Click here to visit his official website.
Information about Drums in the Abyss:
Tread lightly those who seek the Darkness
Professor William Markinson’s lifelong research led him to the vast hidden caves beneath the sacred grounds west of Bursa. The true aims of his search are well hidden from the other members of the expedition team, but the lost city of Morgainok cannot be denied. The ancient roads echo with the drums of the abyss, leaving five lost souls at the mercy of the city. Horrors stand at every turn as elder things lurk in the shadows.
Lauren Miller is right to guard herself from the others. The dire situation has left the expedition team on the run. She will have to stave off the madness of what she has witnessed for any hope of escape. She must confront the caretakers of the unholy city or Morgainok will keep her forever.
Rise of the Elder
This Horror Survival Series documents the last days of those mortals foolish enough to pry into the affairs of the Cult of the Elder. The dark secrets are tempting, but few live to tell of the horrendous wonders beyond the void.
REVIEW: DRUMS IN THE ABYSS BY MICHAEL W. GARZA
Read more: Review: Drums in the Abyss by Michael W. Garza