Amy Kuivalainen's Blog - Posts Tagged "epic-fantasy"
Eastern Gods for Kindle Scribe
Hey Everyone,
Apologies from being away from the blog for so many weeks. My life has been super crazy wrapping up projects and job hunting BUT exciting news!
Eastern Gods , book one of new YA Fantasy series Western Wars, is up on a Kindle Scout campaign for your view and vote! I'm crazy excited about this one. It would be really good for fans who enjoyed Sarah J Maas' Throne of Glass series or MTV's Shannara Chronicles.
This series is the first lot of books I wrote as a teenager. I finished the whopping, originally titled, Eastern Gods and Western Wars when I was about nineteen. It landed at 180k words. I believed in the story, I wanted it out there, and so it has been through a massive reworking and editing for the passed year. Its now split into two books, Eastern Gods and The Golden Queen and I can't wait for you to read them.
I love this series. It helped me survive a really dark period in my life and taught me so much about storytelling, craft and helped create a safe place in my mind where I could hang out. I was reading a lot of fantasy as a teen; loads of Lord of the Rings, Stephen Lawhead and Ian Irvine's View from the Mirror Quartet (please check it out - its so freaking great) and it is these writers and stories that shaped my passion for writing epic fantasy.
This series is a big one, twisted up with family, war, love, faith and magic. It's a hero quest and a coming of age and the secrets that you discover about your family as you grow older. It's about sacrifice and blood and forgiveness at it's most brutal.
Please check it out here, there is a huge sample on the site for you to read too so bonus!
Eastern Gods
Description
Enter a world of forgotten magic, kings, gods and the woman who will dare to defy them.
Prince Haldirian’s safe world is shattered when he captures a spy from the silent and forgotten Eastlands. There is only one scholar of the East who could stop the fear of war spreading, Aláenor of Silandáe.
The first female heir in history, highly intelligent and carrying a warrior swagger Aláenor isn’t what Haldirian has learned to expect from royal princesses.
The eastern spy Hilkiah reveals that he was sent by Mordecai, Emperor of the East and powerful dark magician residing in the city of Rotech. The West has turned their back on magic for centuries and fearing that war is imminent, a spying party is sent back to the East to discover the truth.
Mordecai is burning for payback on the western king who destroyed his life. He needs Aláenor to fulfill his revenge, and he will have her…even if he has to kill the man she loves and destroy her soul to do it.
May Update
Hey Everyone,
Do you guys have months that are always out of control no matter how well you plan them? Every year it seems to my May. I had it all perfectly planned then it exploded and I'm running about like a head with its chicken cut off.
First things first...KINGDOM is DONE. Well, the first draft is anyway. Hurray! I'm currently reading through it, making lots of notes where I seem to have forgotten to write needed scenes and adding in descriptions that I left behind. Every book I write is different and KINGDOM has had its own set of challenges including an ending that wouldn't stop changing. Its on track to still be released at some point this year but I'm not committing to any date until I have a draft I'm happy with.
Speaking of releases, Eastern Gods will be out on the 30th of May. I'm not doing heaps of promo around it because it is a re-launch but the date is set, pre-order pages are up. The Golden Queen (book 2) is getting its final proofread completed and I should have a pre-order page up for it shortly. Ideally I'd like to release them both on the 30th but I'll see how I'm tracking. Before I forget...the paperback is not being released for another little while but I'll keep you updated on it. In their first draft format, these books were written before The Firebird Fairytales series (10+ years ago). This is why the discerning reader will pick up references to a particular magical wood mentioned in Rise of the Firebird that are the same trees in Eastern Gods.
Its taken me forever to get to a point that I'm comfortable sharing them but I feel like its time. It's a BIG world with lots of characters and potential for more stories in the future. It wraps up neatly but I've purposely left space for more books because it's such a fun world to play in. It is aimed at a young adult/ new adult audience but I've had lots of adult beta readers enjoy the series so check it out if you like adventurous, epic fantasy with a fun bit of romance thrown in.
I've tentatively started writing book 2 of SECRET PROJECT which hopefully won't need to remain a secret much longer. I'm trying to clear my editing plate before I really sink my teeth into it because this particular series always takes longer to write due to the research involved. Expect announcements in this space soon. Trust me, as soon as I get the green light I seriously won't be able to stop talking about it.
Stuff I'm Reading:
If you follow my social media you would've seen that I'm FINALLY catching up on my Sarah J Maas TBR pile.
I love both of her series and I've been about four books behind for a while now. I've smashed out the Court of Thorns and Roses series and now about to start the last two Throne of Glass. I've said it before but I really wish these books were around when I was a teenager. I got so sick of only reading fantasy books with male protagonists that I decided to write my own series...and The Western Wars series was born. I can't wait to get stuck into Throne of Glass...Aelin is my fave!
My obsession with L.H.Cosway is continuing this month as I get stuck into this beauty. I'm not a huge contemporary romance fan but I seriously love her books. Not only are they hot (so hot) they are HILARIOUS and all of the characters seem like people you could hang out with that have relatable problems. I'm a sucker for a man with a stringed instrument so I'm enjoying the hell out this one.
Thats all from me for the moment, but I'll put up another update if I get any newsworthy news.
Ames xo
Do you guys have months that are always out of control no matter how well you plan them? Every year it seems to my May. I had it all perfectly planned then it exploded and I'm running about like a head with its chicken cut off.
First things first...KINGDOM is DONE. Well, the first draft is anyway. Hurray! I'm currently reading through it, making lots of notes where I seem to have forgotten to write needed scenes and adding in descriptions that I left behind. Every book I write is different and KINGDOM has had its own set of challenges including an ending that wouldn't stop changing. Its on track to still be released at some point this year but I'm not committing to any date until I have a draft I'm happy with.
Speaking of releases, Eastern Gods will be out on the 30th of May. I'm not doing heaps of promo around it because it is a re-launch but the date is set, pre-order pages are up. The Golden Queen (book 2) is getting its final proofread completed and I should have a pre-order page up for it shortly. Ideally I'd like to release them both on the 30th but I'll see how I'm tracking. Before I forget...the paperback is not being released for another little while but I'll keep you updated on it. In their first draft format, these books were written before The Firebird Fairytales series (10+ years ago). This is why the discerning reader will pick up references to a particular magical wood mentioned in Rise of the Firebird that are the same trees in Eastern Gods.
Its taken me forever to get to a point that I'm comfortable sharing them but I feel like its time. It's a BIG world with lots of characters and potential for more stories in the future. It wraps up neatly but I've purposely left space for more books because it's such a fun world to play in. It is aimed at a young adult/ new adult audience but I've had lots of adult beta readers enjoy the series so check it out if you like adventurous, epic fantasy with a fun bit of romance thrown in.I've tentatively started writing book 2 of SECRET PROJECT which hopefully won't need to remain a secret much longer. I'm trying to clear my editing plate before I really sink my teeth into it because this particular series always takes longer to write due to the research involved. Expect announcements in this space soon. Trust me, as soon as I get the green light I seriously won't be able to stop talking about it.
Stuff I'm Reading:
If you follow my social media you would've seen that I'm FINALLY catching up on my Sarah J Maas TBR pile.
I love both of her series and I've been about four books behind for a while now. I've smashed out the Court of Thorns and Roses series and now about to start the last two Throne of Glass. I've said it before but I really wish these books were around when I was a teenager. I got so sick of only reading fantasy books with male protagonists that I decided to write my own series...and The Western Wars series was born. I can't wait to get stuck into Throne of Glass...Aelin is my fave!
My obsession with L.H.Cosway is continuing this month as I get stuck into this beauty. I'm not a huge contemporary romance fan but I seriously love her books. Not only are they hot (so hot) they are HILARIOUS and all of the characters seem like people you could hang out with that have relatable problems. I'm a sucker for a man with a stringed instrument so I'm enjoying the hell out this one.
Thats all from me for the moment, but I'll put up another update if I get any newsworthy news.
Ames xo
Psst -Free Box Set Promo this weekend!
A quick heads up that both The Firebird Fairytales Boxset and The Western Wars Boxset will be Free on Amazon this weekend so its a perfect time to check them out and leave a review! They are also on Kindle Unlimited if you are a part of the program...Check out descriptions below x
The Firebird Fairytales is a fresh Nordic Paranormal Fantasy series that breathes new life into Ancient myth
Cry of the Firebird
Born on the crossroads between worlds Anya's Gate Keeper magic is buried under grief and rage until one fateful night a firebird hatches on her farm who is sharing its body with the fabled Prince Yvan. With Yvan's dark magician brother Vasilli and other powerful enemies closing in around them, Anya has no choice but to sober up, follow Yvan into Skazki and hope that she can learn how to control her awakening magic before it destroys her and any hope of keeping the gates to both world's safe.
Ashes of the Firebird
Branded as Rogues and hunted by the supernatural world Anya and her companions flee to Budapest, a place of new allies where they will be safe. They begin the search for Yanka, Anya's ancestor and the only person in history with enough power to change the tide of the brewing war. Her relationship with the Thanatos Trajan is made complicated when he accidently feeds off her and trouble finds them when Aleksandra saves mysterious demon hunter Mychal from an attack, bringing new monsters and threats to Anya's door.
Rise of the Firebird
Travelling from the battlefields of Skazki to the Underworld of Tuonela, Anya and her companions encounter the vicious dark goddess Louhi and gain two magician's, the mad hero Kullervo and Eldon Blaise - apprentice of Merlin himself. As devastating secrets of history and the heart are revealed, Anya must fight the darkness within her and rise up to be a symbol for the Neutral rebel army that rallies under the banner of the firebird. Ready to restore the balance at any price, the final battle of the three armies will shape the worlds forever.
Free Here
The Western Wars is an epic fantasy series with loads of adventure, magic and romance
Eastern Gods - Book One
'Come to me and I'll whisper secrets that will shake the worlds. '
When a spy from the mysterious Eastlands is caught in his kingdom, Haldirian is sent to the only reliable scholar of the East left on the continent of Elindor. With her help, he's determined to stop the fear of war spreading, but as the first female heir in history, highly intelligent and carrying a warrior swagger Aláenor isn't what Haldirian has learned to expect from royal princesses. But Aláenor isn't as confident as she appears as she's haunted by the memory of her dead mother and plagued by a man whispering in her nightmares.
The spy claims that Mordecai, dark magician and Emperor of the East sent him to scout their kingdoms for an invasion, but it's the threat of unknown magic that forces them to act. The West turned their back on magic hundreds of years ago, and they will have no way to stand against it if the mysterious Emperor decides to make war.
Together, Aláenor and Haldirian will journey to the other side of the world to learn the truth, but nothing is as it seems, and the East will reveal secrets to Aláenor that will shatter her world, question her loyalties, and forge her into the queen she must become.
The Golden Queen - Book Two
Scholar. Warrior. Lover. Queen.
Still recovering from her imprisonment in the Red Fortress, Aláenor travels to the northern city of Anan in search of new allies in her war against the Emperor Mordecai.
Anan has more than one surprise for Aláenor, and as she comes to terms with the magic awakening inside of her she will need Haldirian's support to make it back to the West.
Aláenor has been raised to believe that Mordecai's family line were traitors, but history is written by the winners and she will discover she has more in common with the enemy than she thinks.
Free Here
The Firebird Fairytales is a fresh Nordic Paranormal Fantasy series that breathes new life into Ancient myth
Cry of the Firebird
Born on the crossroads between worlds Anya's Gate Keeper magic is buried under grief and rage until one fateful night a firebird hatches on her farm who is sharing its body with the fabled Prince Yvan. With Yvan's dark magician brother Vasilli and other powerful enemies closing in around them, Anya has no choice but to sober up, follow Yvan into Skazki and hope that she can learn how to control her awakening magic before it destroys her and any hope of keeping the gates to both world's safe.
Ashes of the Firebird
Branded as Rogues and hunted by the supernatural world Anya and her companions flee to Budapest, a place of new allies where they will be safe. They begin the search for Yanka, Anya's ancestor and the only person in history with enough power to change the tide of the brewing war. Her relationship with the Thanatos Trajan is made complicated when he accidently feeds off her and trouble finds them when Aleksandra saves mysterious demon hunter Mychal from an attack, bringing new monsters and threats to Anya's door.
Rise of the Firebird
Travelling from the battlefields of Skazki to the Underworld of Tuonela, Anya and her companions encounter the vicious dark goddess Louhi and gain two magician's, the mad hero Kullervo and Eldon Blaise - apprentice of Merlin himself. As devastating secrets of history and the heart are revealed, Anya must fight the darkness within her and rise up to be a symbol for the Neutral rebel army that rallies under the banner of the firebird. Ready to restore the balance at any price, the final battle of the three armies will shape the worlds forever.
Free Here
The Western Wars is an epic fantasy series with loads of adventure, magic and romance Eastern Gods - Book One
'Come to me and I'll whisper secrets that will shake the worlds. '
When a spy from the mysterious Eastlands is caught in his kingdom, Haldirian is sent to the only reliable scholar of the East left on the continent of Elindor. With her help, he's determined to stop the fear of war spreading, but as the first female heir in history, highly intelligent and carrying a warrior swagger Aláenor isn't what Haldirian has learned to expect from royal princesses. But Aláenor isn't as confident as she appears as she's haunted by the memory of her dead mother and plagued by a man whispering in her nightmares.
The spy claims that Mordecai, dark magician and Emperor of the East sent him to scout their kingdoms for an invasion, but it's the threat of unknown magic that forces them to act. The West turned their back on magic hundreds of years ago, and they will have no way to stand against it if the mysterious Emperor decides to make war.
Together, Aláenor and Haldirian will journey to the other side of the world to learn the truth, but nothing is as it seems, and the East will reveal secrets to Aláenor that will shatter her world, question her loyalties, and forge her into the queen she must become.
The Golden Queen - Book Two
Scholar. Warrior. Lover. Queen.
Still recovering from her imprisonment in the Red Fortress, Aláenor travels to the northern city of Anan in search of new allies in her war against the Emperor Mordecai.
Anan has more than one surprise for Aláenor, and as she comes to terms with the magic awakening inside of her she will need Haldirian's support to make it back to the West.
Aláenor has been raised to believe that Mordecai's family line were traitors, but history is written by the winners and she will discover she has more in common with the enemy than she thinks.
Free Here
