Now available: The Conqueror's Shadow

[Mouseferatu]

Okay, the following blurb text comes from the inner cover flap of the hardcover printing:

They called him the Terror of the East. His past shrouded in mystery, his identity hidden beneath a suit of enchanted black armor and a skull-like helm, Corvis Rebaine carved a bloody path through Imphallion, aided by Davro, a savage ogre, and Seilloah, a witch with a taste for human flesh. No shield or weapon could stop his demon-forged axe. And no magic could match the spells of his demon slave, Khanda.

Yet just when ultimate victory was in his grasp, Rebaine faltered. His plans of conquest, born from a desire to see Imphallion governed with firmness and honesty, shattered. Amidst the chaos of a collapsing army, Rebaine vanished, taking only a single hostage—a young noblewoman named Tyannon—to guarantee his escape.

Seventeen years later, Rebaine and Tyannon are married, living in obscurity and raising their children, a daughter and a son. Rebaine has put his past behind him, given up his dreams of conquest. Not even news of an upstart warlord, Audriss, following his old path of conquest, can stir Rebaine to action.

Until his daughter is assaulted by Audriss’s goons.

Now, to rescue the country he once tried to conquer, Rebaine dons the armor of the Terror of the East again and seeks out his former allies. But Davro has become a peaceful farmer. Seilloah has no wish to leave her haunted forest home. And Khanda—to describe his feelings for his former master as undying hatred would be an understatement.

But even if he convinces his comrades to join him, Rebaine faces a greater challenge: Does he dare to reawaken the part of him that gloried in cruelty, blood, and destruction? With the safety of his family at stake, can he dare not to?

 

[Klaus]

Oooh, gravitas!

Me likey!

 

[Mouseferatu]

Oooh, gravitas!

Me likey!

Also--though of course it's not clear in the blurb--lots and lots of sarcasm.

 

[Mouseferatu]

The cover is now up on Amazon.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Conquerors-Shadow-Ari-Marmell/dp/0553807765/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243553284&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: The Conqueror's Shadow (9780553807769): Ari Marmell: Books[/ame]

 

[bento]

So will this be self-contained or the first of a series?

 

[Mouseferatu]

So will this be self-contained or the first of a series?

While there is a sequel planned--just finished the rough draft of it about a month ago, in fact--it's not a direct continuation. In other words, the first book can and does stand alone. (In movie terms, think less "Matrix" or "Lord of the Rings," and more "Indiana Jones" or the new "Batman" movies. Same characters, and the second part builds on the first, but the first is a complete story unto itself.)

 

[bento]

Good! Then count me in!

I hope your publisher springs for a book tour! Let us know after it comes out if you'll be doing any in-state signings.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I hope your publisher springs for a book tour! Let us know after it comes out if you'll be doing any in-state signings.

I'd love to do a book tour.

That said, I'm already in-state where you're concerned, though I suppose it's a bit much to ask you to drive three hours for my next local signing at Dragon's Lair.

 

[Eosin the Red]

Nice cover. Good luck. And head north to Oklahoma on that book tour.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Just a quick bump, since we're at T -1 month (or actually a hair less). The butterflies in my stomach are getting butterflies in their stomachs.

The Conqueror’s Shadow