As a writer of epic fantasy myself, I am endlessly fascinated by the genre. There is something magical about being able to disappear into a world so removed from real life.
So, here is a little background on this amazing genre.
Fantasy storytelling in general follows a basic formula that has been successful for thousands of years. The epic fantasy tradition began with vocal storytelling, where the orators of the past would enthrall and entertain their listeners with tales of magic and gods. These stories would not only entertain, but would educate the next generation, enabling them in turn to pass the stories to their own children.
These epic fantasy vocal tales, though seemingly far-fetched, explored a real human issue. They tied into the quest to solve a world-affecting problem (in many stories this is a dark lord, an evil wizard, a magical device that’s going to destroy everything, a world-ending/shaking event that must be somehow avoided). And in turn, there would always be a hero who could solve the problem, kill the enemy, and bring peace to the world once more.
Myths and legends may have been the origin of this type of storytelling, but the genre has since branched into many subgenres and categories. A quick Google search brings up the following:
If you want to delve further into the fantasy subgenres, I highly recommend this post with descriptions and recommendations for a huge range of subgenres: https://reedsy.com/discovery/blog/fantasy-subgenres
I have often pondered whether my series, The Light and Shadow Chronicles, falls under the ‘Epic Fantasy’ or ‘High Fantasy’ genre, but what exactly is the difference between the two?
Epic Fantasy
*The focus is on the scale of the conflict (huge, apocalyptic battles, threats to the very existence of all life etc)
*A large cast of characters – often of a variety of races and/or species
*Magic, or other-worldly powers, are a key part of plot/story/character abilities
*Often takes place in medieval times, with swords, armour and medieval-style castles and towns
*Features a good vs evil story (but this is tending more towards shades of grey in modern epic fantasy)
*Relies on many sub-plots to help advance the story. These often merge in cataclysmic, or epic, ways towards the finale of the story.
*May involve power politics, gods among men, wars, the birth and death of nations, and/or the threat of the end of the world
*Epic fantasy deals with cultures and people that are entirely imagined and not drawn on any myth or legends. The author of epic fantasy creates entirely different kinds of myths and legends and prophecies for their world.
High Fantasy
*High fantasy is more about the choices the characters make than the events of the world
*The focus is on the setting itself and the integral worldbuilding NOT the scale of events
*Magic may or may not be involved
*May be focused on the character-building of an event, rather than the event itself – for example, long travelling scenes may help to develop the character rather than advance the storyline
*High fantasy is often inspired by classical mythology, folklore, and fairytales.
What is Sword and Sorcery?
Another sub-genre of fantasy, which my books tend towards, is Sword and Sorcery. This type of fantasy uses a mash-up of all the epic elements of fantasy—magic, supernatural, action, romance, excitement, and escapism.
The atmosphere tends to be darker in this genre. Good and evil still exist, but there is more moral ambiguity and fewer absolutes.
Good examples of Sword and Sorcery Epic Fantasy:
Mistborn – Brandon Sanderson
Stormlight Archive – Brandon Sanderson
Crown of Stones – C.L. Schneider
The Word and The Void – Terry Brooks
The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien
I have been told good things about the following authors, but have yet to read any of their work: Peter V Brett, Robin Hobb, David Eddings, Robert Jordan, Joe Abercrombie, Andrzej Sapkowski, Patrick Rothfuss, Trudi Canavan, Susan Faw, Mark Lawrence, Sarah J Maas
In conclusion, my books contain mystical creatures, heroes of incredible power, large-scale battles and power politics of entirely made-up cultures. Therefore, I market my work as Sword and Sorcery Epic Fantasy.
This book is part of The Light and Shadow Chronicles, a series of epic fantasy stories which can be read in any order. Find out more about the series by clicking on the image below:
If you are new to this fantasy world, or have only read one of the books, these extracts will help to give you a flavour of what my writing is about. I hope you enjoy them!
I’m
so excited to share with you the cover for my upcoming release, Origin of Shadow! This novella is part
of my epic, immersive fantasy series The Light and
Shadow Chronicles. The series is centered upon a centuries-long
war between two armies and each book focuses upon a character within the
timeline. This novella gives the origin story of one of the armies – The Brotherhood
of Shadow. The complementary novella entitled Genesis of Light is already available in ebook, paperback and audiobook.
The official release date for the book is
23rd Novmber. In the meantime, if you haven’t read the others in the
series yet you can get them here (though reading these first isn’t required to
understand Origin of Shadow):
“Vincent
Wilder.” The voice broke into his thoughts, everywhere and nowhere at once,
deafening, yet somehow a whisper. “Are you ready to learn the truth?”
As heir
to a notorious crime syndicate, sixteen-year-old Vincent Wilder is determined
to live up to his father’s intimidating legacy, and expand his violent empire.
The Wilders have terrorised the city of Pabell for decades and Vincent knows
the business inside and out (and has dirtied his own hands more times than he dares
to count.)
But no
matter how ready he thinks he is, nothing could have prepared him for life at
the helm. His father was a man of many things, but secrets wasn’t one of them,
or so Vincent had thought. The deeper Vincent gets into his leadership role,
the more terrifying and inexplicable skeletons he uncovers.
With the
threat of a revolution, a mysterious and intrusive voice in his head, and a
long-lost history he had known nothing about, is he really up to the challenge?
You’ve read the Children of Light’s origin story, now experience the same events from a different perspective with this prequel novella from The Light and Shadow Chronicles.
Origin of Shadow EXCERPT
The ticking of the
timepiece was far louder than it should have been. Every innocuous click of the
hands reverberated around the room. Sixteen-year-old Vincent Wilder stood
perfectly still, making sure his chin was raised and his expression stony. He
tried to hide the fact that his fingers twitched nervously behind his back. This
meeting needs to go off without a hitch. There’s so much resting on it. He
made an effort to narrow his eyes and puff out his chest, hoping his young
frame was imposing.
A single drop of sweat
trickled down his forehead, running a sticky trail across his skin. He wanted
to reach up and wipe it away, but didn’t dare draw attention to the fact he was
perspiring. If they saw it, would they take it as a sign of weakness? So
he did nothing and let the salty drop work its way down his forehead, running
into his dark eyes. He blinked to clear the drop, but his vision blurred and
his eyes itched. He could hold off no longer and was forced to swipe at his
eyes with a hurried hand.
His eyesight cleared and he
took the opportunity to glance down at the table and the people sat around it.
A couple in their early forties sat on one side, close together, huddling for
comfort. Their eyes were strong and defiant, the woman’s in particular. Her
hands were flat on the tabletop, and she leaned forwards, speaking with
determination.
The ashen-faced man beside
her was silent. Despite the stony expression on his face, Vincent could see the
man’s hands trembling.
Across from them sat Franco
Wilder, Vincent’s father. Once, he had a thick shock of dark hair, long and
wild, draped across his shoulders. That was how Vincent always pictured his
father, but the figure that sat before him had changed drastically in the past
few years. As soon as Franco’s hair had started thinning, he had shaved the
lot, and the bald head made the most terrifying man Vincent had ever met even
more intimidating.
Franco’s posture was rigid
and unmoving, a coiled snake waiting to lunge. The dark eyes that had chastised
Vincent since childhood were now zeroed in on the couple before him. His
father’s fingers were locked together tightly, but Vincent knew that it would
only take a split second for Franco to wrench the knife from his concealed
thigh pouch. Vincent’s muscles too were primed, ready to propel him into a
fight. Never relax around Franco Wilder. He’d learned that very young.
Cain has released one stand-alone novel: The Phoenix Project, a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future. The Phoenix
Project was the winner of the 2016 Kindle Book Review Sci-Fi novel Award.
Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her partner and two young children,
and spends her time reading, writing, reviewing and indulging in geek culture
(Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Final Fantasy).
Not much time for sitting down with a book? Why not let somebody else read to you while you drive, cook dinner, or walk the dog? I am delighted to announce that my epic fantasy novella, Genesis of Light, is now available as an audiobook. It can be purchased via Audible, Amazon and iTunes.
Warring countries, fantastical creatures, beings of
terrible power and journeys of epic scale. The legendary Book of Alcherys tells wild and unimaginable stories.
But they are not mere fairy tales. They are true, every word.
Callista Nienna is strong and independent, but nothing
could have prepared her for civilisation being brought to a violent end. Now,
she is forced to stay alive in a desolate wilderness with only her closest
friend for support.
She has two choices: give up and die with the wilting
world around her or seize her destiny and make it to the only sanctuary
left unscathed. At the end of her journey, something awaits Callista, something
both terrifying and unbelievable.
The beginning of a fantasy epic. Learn where it all began in this prequel novella from The Light and Shadow Chronicles.
In a world ravaged by war, the paths of two warriors are about to cross with world-shattering consequences.
Chaos is a soldier of The Children of the Light, and fights in the name of destiny, honor and glory. Arrogant and headstrong, he believes he is the strongest warrior in the land, until a fateful coincidence puts him at the mercy of the demon Anathema.
The two strike up an intense rivalry, but their obsession to destroy one another only leads them closer together. When the forces of light and dark collide, where will their loyalties lie?
Recently I’ve been working really hard on building and developing the world in The Light and Shadow Chronicles. Each of the novels to date has been set in a different location in the world. A Chronicle of Chaos was set mostly in Alcherys, the nation of the Children of Light, and The Shield of Soren took place in the country of Parador. Now, I am working on two different stories, both set in completely new locations. The Ballad of Benedict takes place in the distant, forested country of Thos, and The Sins of Silas will feature the wild jungles of Meraxor.
The original world map
So, I decided to expand upon each country and pad them out
with further details. This post will explore Meraxor and its capital city,
Belkeep.
MERAXOR – Home of the Brotherhood of shadow
Some context for or those who have read any of the books in the Light and Shadow Chronicles series:
Meraxor is the homeland of The Brotherhood of Shadow. The modern city was developed by Vincent Wilder and the Bavelize around 130 years before the bulk of the series takes place. However, there was civilisation in Meraxor many thousands of years prior to this (and remains of this ancient culture can be found throughout the nation.)
Meraxor
Meraxan FAST FACTS:
Width at widest point: 300miles
Size in area: 27,300 miles² (Roughly the size of Ireland)
Population: 996,574
Population spread:
Approx. 180,000 people live in the largest three cities (18% of the
population)
Approx. 37,500 people live in the smaller three cities (4% of the
population)
Approx. 280,000 people live in 123 towns (28% of the population)
Approx. 498,000 people live in 2660 villages (50% of the population)
Approx. 400 people live as hermits or wanderers, away from civilisation
(0.04% of the population)
Social Organisation:
Within Vincent’s closest circles, men are generally viewed as superior to women. Women are viewed as mothers, partners and carers for the men of the Brotherhood of Shadow. Due to this, misogyny and sexist prejudice are rife. Prostitution is common and Vincent himself has numerous concubines, with whom he fathers many children.
In the slums of the cities, men and women are considered equal – all are poor, destitute and lacking hope, and gender plays no part in this. Again, prostitution is common amongst both sexes, and people do as they can to survive. Children are cared for by both, or either, parent dependent on the family’s circumstances. Most common people live simple lives, working as farmers, fruit pickers, miners and shopkeepers. There is a huge number of tiny shops, stalls and tradesmen working out of the slums and the most successful and talented of these progress into the central market square where trade and transportation are accessible.
People who live in Belkeep or the other large cities generally spend their entire lives within their birth city. Travel is possible via the railways and rivers, but it is expensive, especially to travel on passenger transports. People can buy passage on trading boats and rail carts but the journey times are long and uncomfortable. Travel on foot is almost unheard of, as the dense jungles around the cities are so dangerous and inaccessible.
Terrain and climate:
Meraxor is a large country which sits upon the equator, meaning the majority of the climate is tropical, with smaller sub-tropical areas. It is prone to extreme weather conditions – tornados, earthquakes etc. 69% of the land is arable, but 31% is forested and inaccessible/undeveloped.
Meraxor – climate map
Meraxor is surrounded on three sides by ocean. The Perion Sea lies to the east, and the Bernian Sea to the west.
Meraxor is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries on the planet, with a huge diversity of wildlife. Central Meraxor is dominated by the expansive Meraxan rainforest – the largest jungle on the planet, parts of which are entirely inaccessible for humans. A large river and stream network feeds the jungles and connects the oceans and the mountains. The Meraxan people use the water networks for transport, trade, military expeditions and as a food source. Meraxor is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries on the planet, with a huge diversity of wildlife and flora in the expansive Meraxan rainforest.
‘The landscape was very different to the world in which he had grown up. It was spectacular. Vast, sweeping vistas met his gaze. Enormous, dramatic mountains sloped in from the east and west, creating a gorge in the centre, where a turbulent river crashed over rocks and tree roots, cascading in gargantuan waterfalls at intervals along its length.
The mountains and valleys were covered in lush, dense forests as far as the eye could see. The trees that covered the valley stood taller than any of the buildings back in Pabell. Rich, vibrant colours sprang forth from the canopy in the form of luminous foliage or the occasional tropical bird. Far beneath the towering trees, the forest floor was dark and overgrown with vines and mosses, but the understory was teeming with life and plants of such astounding beauty that Vincent was taken aback. Clear, bell-like bird calls or grating, screeching cries rang out through the air.
In the centre of the exotic jungle was a large structure made of wood and stone. There were platforms stretching between the taller trees to allow people to pass over the forest, rather than fighting their way through the thick undergrowth. Beneath the platforms, Vincent could just make out old, crumbling stone walls and domes.’
To the north of Meraxor is Terralia and the enormous Jardian mountain range which borders it.
There is also the Khardesian mountain range in the west of the country, and the Stenmirren range at the southern coast.
There are two huge lakes, Freyval and Teyan.
There is an underground cave network in the north west of the country, though it is largely unexplored.
Coinage:
Meraxor uses Embers – the same coins as Alcherys and Parador use.
1 Ember (a circular golden coin bearing a flame symbol – approximately
$3)
10 Sparks to an Ember (Sparks are tiny golden coins, rectangular in
shape and made of copper – approximately 30cents)
Economy:
Money is scarce in Meraxor and people have to work for everything. If they have no job, they get nothing at all. Alternatively, if they are skilled or very lucky they can become incredibly rich.
Meraxor is a great provider of multiple resources: Medicines from the rainforest, fruit, animal hides, food, cloth and other materials for clothing and crafting.
Meraxor has excellent
transportation and trade routes, and therefore they trade with every other
nation except Thos.
Political Structure:
Meraxor operates under a dictatorship. Vincent Wilder wields absolute power and his actions are not restricted by a constitution or laws. Vincent’s senior advisors and officers in the Brotherhood of Shadow advise him, but he can choose to acknowledge or ignore their recommendations. Appointed officers take care of administrative matters and the day to day running of the country, but all decision-making goes through Vincent personally.
Cities:
BELKEEP: Capital City of Meraxor. Belkeep is the largest city on the planet, covering 780 square miles and with a population of 100,000. 60% of the city is covered by sprawling, heavily crowded slums, where thousands of people live in poor conditions.
There is a central hub to the city, where the markets, guild halls, shops, courtyards and nobles houses are located. This is also the centre of the transport networks.
A huge wall surrounds Belkeep and branches off around the country, offering both transportation via aqueducts and railways, and also a strong defensive system.
The richer people of the city are those that inhabit the forts that are stationed along the wall. Vincent Wilder’s family often defend these fortresses (Silas Wilder of the novel The Sins of Silas is one of these). Vincent himself, his highest ranking advisors, and his concubines live in the palace of Belkeep, which sits on top of the city itself. This is known as the ‘Diamond Tier’.
Meraxor population spread
Tisgudor: Population
40,000
Khasimara: Population 40,000
Terakeep: Population 20,000
Vermidor: Population 10,000
Yunasdor: Population 7,500
Boldor: Population 6000
Phirkeep: Population 4000
Panekmara: Population 2000
Costumes:
Traditional dress in Meraxor is lightweight and flowing to allow the wearer to handle the heat. Most clothes are lightweight, cotton, and sporting bright colours, elaborate patterns, jewels and beads.
Weaponry:
Poison-enhanced weaponry is common in the Meraxan elite armies. Using poison from the creatures in the rainforests, they utilise poison darts, and poison-tipped swords and axes. Older weapons, from before the Second Age, used bone ridged weapons and the jagged teeth of wild animals to give their armies more power.
The iron mines of the Jardian Mountains, including the enormous
Ironmaw, are under the control of the Brotherhood, since the occupation of
Terralia. Meraxor, therefore, has total control over all production and trading
of iron armour and weapons. The majority of this iron is sold on to other
nations (including, ironically, their main enemies!), but a percentage is kept
within Meraxor.
The higher ranking members of the Brotherhood of Shadow have access to Terralian steel, whereas the foot soldier army have subpar, mass-produced weapons made of inferior steel or sometimes even wood.
The people:
Ethnically, Meraxans are typically dark-haired and dark-eyed. They often have almond shaped eyes and creamy skin (similar to real-world Far Eastern characteristics). 2% of the population are born with blonde or red hair, and light-coloured eyes are even rarer.
Culturally, Meraxans are industrious and want to work to drag themselves out of the poverty that 90% of them suffer through. They will strive to work hard, and take their losses or failures hard. Stalls and temporary shops pop up often in the slums due to this desire to succeed, but resources and money are so scarce in the slums that they often fail and the owners slip into depression, poverty, drug use and alcoholism.
Notable characters:
All Brotherhood of Shadow, Vincent Wilder, Silas Wilder, Drake Wilder, Requiem Wilder, Mercy Wilder, Odin Wilder, Serena Kariss.
Religion:
The Meraxan people are superstitious and religious and most of the
country worship at the Cult of the Bavelize. The citizens are wholly obedient
to the Bavelize. They believe that everything in the universe is the creation
of the Bavelize and there is no point questioning anything as everything was
designed to fit a purpose that only the Bavelize knows.
There is an 80% religious following of the Bavelize, with the remaining 20% identifying as ‘undecided’ – a risky opinion to voice, but one which is increasingly more common among young people in the slums.
Believers are under no obligation or duty to convert or convince others in their belief. Therefore, they have no disdain for non-believers, merely a smug assurance that they are more knowledgeable.
The smoky deity has temples in its favour spread across the nation, especially in the city of Belkeep. There are no official services or gatherings at the temples, and rituals or ceremonies are a private affair. People may choose to serve the Bavelize as they see fit, providing they follow its every instruction when, and if, they are called upon. Some families barely acknowledge their god in their day to day lives, others pray 5-6 times a day and live their lives in the service of their ‘creator’. Followers of this religion are concentrated mainly in Meraxor, with a mere 0.3% of believers scattered across the rest of the world. It is the belief of all Bavelize-worshippers that Meraxor, and particularly Belkeep, are the chosen grounds of the Bavelize and as such many make a pilgrimage to the great city and remain there to live in the slums.
The Cult of the Bavelize is mostly based around fear of the smoke creature. Its appearances to the public are incredibly rare, and only very few people have ever been graced by its true appearance. Vincent Wilder is regularly in communication with the Bavelize and its wishes are dictated to him to carry out in his nation. In later years it is unknown how much of Vincent’s instruction comes from himself or the Bavelize. There are no commandments or instructions to live by, aside from the direct communications received from Vincent and occasional other people. As with the frequency of worship, people serve as they see fit. Early messages from the Bavelize indicated that the people should follow their own interests, beliefs and motivations with the intention of developing your soul. The meaning of life to those in the Cult of the Bavelize is to become the best human they can be to honour their god.
In the jungle, there is also an ancient amphitheatre where the original Meraxans used to summon their god. This ancient summoning location features carvings of creatures unknown to humanity. The central summoning altar is carved with a deep spiral, which is the only known symbol representing the Bavelize. It fell out of common use in the early years of the modern development of Meraxor and has since been confined to history.
There are no specific rituals to commemorate birth, death or marriage. Many people choose to take their new child to a temple immediately after birth, to have the Bavelize ‘bless’ the baby. The bodies of the deceased are also sometimes lain within temples for a day following their death. This is usually only applied to those of the nobility and the Brotherhood ranks. The dead of the slums are the responsibility of the slum citizens and as such they store bodies in cold cellars and then burn them all in monthly funeral pyres. Some traditions around these death ceremonies have appeared in the slums in recent years, with people beginning to recite poetry and sing songs to honour their dead.
Marriage exists in the Brotherhood of Shadow, but may only be permitted by Vincent himself. The lovers must approach him, state their reasons for the union and how it will benefit them, the nation, the state and most importantly, the Bavelize. If they are unable to give adequate reasons for their marriage, it will be declined. If accepted, Vincent assigns a senior member of the Brotherhood to complete a short ceremony within the central temple inside the Palace of Belkeep (Vincent’s private summoning room for the Bavelize).
Marriages also occur in the slums, but there is no official service, record or legal binding contract. Two people state their intention to become joined to one another, their friends and family gather and a raucous celebration will take place in the numerous bars, inns and markets of the slums. Due to the non-legal nature of marriages, the average length of a union is around 5 years and people may ‘marry’ as many times as they wish.
Architecture:
Meraxans go all-out with elaborate designs and architecture.
Vincent likes his chosen buildings to be the best anywhere on the planet, and
those he cares little for are left to rot and crumble. It is the responsibility
of all in the slum to build new shacks, maintain sanitation and trash disposal.
Vincent and the Brotherhood have no part in the upkeep or development of the
slums.
Belkeep palace: The centrepiece of Belkeep is the grand palace, which was stunningly crafted with years upon years of slave labour. Everything is designed to impress. The largest palace in the world, it is topped with handcrafted golden leaves and surrounded by impenetrable stone walls. The Palace of Belkeep has iron bars that run under the flooring like radiators – they are heated with steam and warm the entire palace. Gold, diamonds, and statues of marble and pearl are common inside the palace. 99% of the wealth within Belkeep is located within the palace building and its grounds.
Great Wall: The Great Wall of Belkeep is a stunning architectural marvel. It surrounds the city, stretching in a wide ring nearly 250 miles long. The wall is 20metres high around the city itself and nearly 10 metres wide. Some parts of the wall hold aqueducts and rail tracks to provide safe and easy trade and travel in and around the city. The wall then branches off in five directions to snake across the nation of Meraxor for a further 220miles.
Amphitheatre. Deep in the jungles, and hidden from civilisation by foliage, vines, enormous trees and sweeping hills, is the ancient summoning temple of the Bavelize. It is believed to have been built over three thouand years ago by the people of the first age, and used the blood of a human sacrifice to call upon their deity.
Roads
The cities are paved with cheap, sturdy and resilient asphalt using gravel and stone from the mines and quarries. Carts, horses and travel by foot are common within the cities. Outside of the city there are few roads. Northern Meraxor, and especially the semi-desert plains of the Holy Lands have some dirt and stone tracks. Southern Meraxor and the arable farmlands near to the South coast have tracks and some small roads to aid the transportation of produce and crops.
However, the bulk of the country is covered by dense
rainforest which is impossible to keep cleared and safe for roads. Horses and
carts are rendered useless in the jungles and travel is restricted to foot or
river boats.
The rivers are offer an extensive travel system throughout Meraxor, especially those inaccessible forested areas. The forests are fed by a huge network of rivers, streams and lakes. The Meraxans developed narrow canoe-like boats to negotiate these streams and to be able to transport goods across the nation without having to go around the Meraxan rainforest.
Coupled with the railways, the Meraxans developed an ingenious transport system involving amphibious rail boats which can enter and exit the rivers via rail. Traders can load the boats on land or on water and transportation is fast, reliable and accessible.
When the rails and the rivers meet the city of Belkeep, there are huge pulley systems that allow the carts to be hoisted up the walls and onto the aqueducts which run around the perimeter of the city. This allows the goods to be taken to the very centre of the markets, and also provides an excellent mode of travel around the city. There are trade boats and passenger boats running often.
Water – To provide water for the largest city on the planet was no easy feat, but luckily Belkeep had been built at the intersection of two great rivers, beside the huge lake Teyan and within 100 miles of two different oceans – The Perion and the Bernian. The aqueduct and river systems bring fresh water to the city and the wells and pumps are kept fresh by this flow of water.
The people in the slums use wells, buckets and hand pumps to retrieve the water they need. There are large steam-powered pumps that supply water to the palace.
Sewage
There is an elaborate sewage removal system in the palace of Belkeep. Large pipes and steam powered pumps flush the waste out to the rivers in the forests. The slums have no sewage system, so people go to the edge of the city and dig trenches. Some parts of the slums have very little sanitation, and therefore disease and infection are rife.
Food
Meraxan cuisine offers some of the most delectable treats anywhere on the planet. The food is extravagant, spicy, and aromatic. Even the poor people of the slums can have access to delicious and nutritious foods for a low price (though many struggle to afford even such low cost meals). The people eat a lot of meat and fish which they have to hunt themselves in the lakes, rivers and at the edges of the forests. Vegetables, wheat and barley are grown in the arable areas and transported to the cities, but these foods are generally more expensive than the meat and fish the forests provide.
Juicy, tasty, colourful fruits are common in Meraxan cuisine, as well as unique herbs and spices – all of which grow in the rainforests. Meraxan food is difficult to cook, however, and some of the more interesting and elaborate dishes must be cooked by experts, due to the possibility of mixing tasty ingredients with poisonous elements.
Thank you for reading all about Meraxor and the home of the Brotherhood of Shadow. Meraxor will be the setting for the upcoming novel, The Sins of Silas.
Next on my list of worldbuilding locations will be Alcherys – home of the Children of Light.
Hello immersive fantasy fans! Today, I have a guest on my blog (and I am very excited about it!). Please welcome the talented, multi-award-winning fantasy author, Susan Faw. She is touring her epic series, The Spirit Shield Saga and has answered some questions and given us some insight into her awesome books. Enjoy!
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
There are multiple POV
characters in this series (every epic fantasy does this) but the main thread
revolves around Cayden. I knew Cayden’s fatal flaw from the beginning, and
stayed true to that flaw throughout the series. I cannot even mention it here,
as it would be a major spoiler, for those who have not read the series. Suffice
it to say, that it creates no end of problems for those around him.
How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
The title is another
Easter egg. It has two meanings, which should become clear as you read the
book. Beyond that, I googled the name and also searched amazon and other book
sites to make sure that the title was not like anyone else’s.
Who designed your book covers?
The Spirit Shield Saga
covers were designed by Greg Simanson Design, you can find his website here:
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
I am going to stick
with actors from the Harry Potter films 😊 Helen Bonham Carter would make a perfect
Helga. I think I’d like to see Emma Watson play Avery, and for Cayden, I’d pick
someone like Matthew Lewis. Evanna Lynch would make a great Artio. And Mordecai
by Ralph Fiennes. It would be great to see him do something comedic. Ziona is a
tough one, more like Legolas’s love, of the LOTR, I think.
Soul Survivor
Prequel to the Spirit Shield Saga
by Susan Faw
Genre: YA Fantasy
An ancient feud that spills from the realm of the Gods. Four desperate
agendas that cross the line. And a boy with a mysterious box is the
world’s only hope.
Helga, demi-goddess of the underworld has but one true desire, a young man
named Genii. But Genii belongs to her sister star gazing sister, Artio.
Obsessed with possessing Genii any way she can, Helga
sets herself against her siblings. The vicious rivalry sets brother
against sister and flesh against spirit, as they battle each other
for ultimate control of the souls of the dead.
Helga summons a
great evil, spawn of the underworld, which left unchecked, will sweep
all life into the depths of the underworld, where Helga rules supreme.
In the epic battle that ensues, only one will be left
standing, and if it is the wrong one, how will the world survive?
Download this tale of love, jealousy, and magic,
today, and dive into this award-winning epic mythology fantasy
series!
The time for hiding is finished. The dead are restless.
Fate and destiny collide.
Twins Cayden and Avery Tiernan have grown up in isolation on the fringe of
the realm. Gifted with forbidden skills, they hide their growing
magical powers. Ancient prophecies speak of the ones with the power
to depose the queen.
To protect her throne, Queen Alcina scours the land for evidence of
magic, while the darker force she serves threatens the land with
chaos. She is not the only huntress however. Primordial seekers
discover the twins first but before they can escape, the death of a
queen’s guard puts the entire village in jeopardy. To save their
town, the twins flee, only to be dragged toward an unknown destiny.
Guided by her gift, Avery senses lies and treachery where others see only
truth. Dare she trust her instincts? For Cayden, an irresistible
voice whispers to him. Does it belong to the souls of the dead and
are they calling him home?
Buy Seer of Souls and plunge into the first book of the Spirit Shield
Saga today!
Snatched from her home by a Primordial Seeker, seventeen-year-old Avery is
imprisoned by the people she intended to serve. In a desperate bid
for freedom, she escapes, only to find herself racing against time to
save those who seek to use her.
Driven by jealousy, the lust for power and the stain of ancient crimes,
conflicting factions struggle to gain control of the magic of a
Spirit Shield. Avery must dodge all who cross her path, for each
group vies to control her actions.
Aided by the mythical creatures of her native land, she discovers that a
true Spirit Shield is much more than a simple priestess. She must
fight for control of the souls of the world, and in doing so must
face her worst fear of all: family.
Purchase the next exciting chapter in this must read epic saga, today!
The underworld writhes. Terror unleashed. Souls enslaved.
The Spirit Shields with memories returned are plunged into a conflict
older than mankind. The pending battle pits family against spirit and
flesh. The godlings face off for ultimate control of the souls of the
dead, each with their own agenda, for there is no love lost between
these siblings.
Helga, goddess of the underworld, tightens her hold on those who hold the
key to ultimate victory. Meanwhile, Avery struggles to convince her
sister Artio that unless they become allies they will fail in their
misaligned quest. Cayden, with the aid of Brimstone, struggles to
fulfill a destiny prophesied since their original deaths long ago.
Can four warring siblings find peace and forgiveness? Or will they battle
to the end of the world, sacrificing all living souls in the conflict?
Don’t miss the exciting conclusion to the Spirit Shield Saga! Purchase your
copy today!
*Winner, Dante Rossetti First In Category, Chanticleer Reviews (2018)*
Winner of the Dante Rossetti Grand Prize for Best Young Adult Fiction of
2016 (Seer of Souls, Chanticleer Reviews) and First in Category,
Dante Rossetti Best Young Adult Fiction of 2017 (Soul Sanctuary,
Chanticleer Reviews) Susan loves to bring new worlds and fantasy
adventures to young adults and inspire them to join her on her
make-believe journeys. She is actively crafting stories that sing in
your memory. You can find Susan at http://www.susanfaw.com, on twitter
@susandfaw or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SusanFaw.
Origin of Shadow – Find out where the Brotherhood began
As many of you are aware, I released a novella last year called Genesis of Light. It told the story of the beginning of the Children of Light, and gave the start of Callista’s story in the war.
Well, now I am preparing to release the second half of that story.
Origin of Shadow covers the same time period as Genesis of Light, but from the perspective of Vincent Wilder. Vincent is the leader of the Brotherood of Shadow and this novella tells his beginnings in the seedy underworld of crime.
Creativia (my publisher) has accepted the manuscript and it is now going through final editing, with a view to being released later this year.
I can’t reveal the cover design just yet, as it is still being finalised. However, here is a sneak peek at some of the first art draft (credit again to Irina French).
A blurb and extract for Origin of Shadow will be coming soon. Stay tuned!
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Immersive fantasy fiction 