“yeah, i study ancient rome,” i say as i scroll through a list of roman emperors. i linger over one, scrutinizing his face; after a moment, i nod and mark him down on the “pretty hot” list. “i guess you could say i know a few things about it.” i show said emperor to my friend, who nods in approval. “my colleagues agree that i make valuable contributions to the field after all.”
Because (a) it’s my birthday and (b) I just finished the first complete draft of my latest novel Hostis, I’m running a promotion for Elegy (the new edition and all) – you’ll be able to get it for free this Thursday and Friday, August 20 to 21!
BOOK ONE OF THE MAGPIE BALLADS.
The Governor of Cassarah is dead. All signs point towards foul play by his old enemy, the Queen of Sarei. The burden of revenge falls on his son, the actor, soldier, and notorious trickster Savonn Silvertongue, whose methods are as flamboyant as they are cruel.
But Savonn harbours secrets from his own mischievous past. And he faces ruin as his greatest adversary–the beautiful, ruthless diviner known only as the Empath–threatens to bring them to light.
Meanwhile, Savonn’s best friend Iyone Safin wages her own deadly battle of wits to stop a string of unexplained accidents, protect the woman she loves, and ultimately, to save Cassarah from the Saraians.
If you like queer lit, historical fantasy, or the enemies-as-lovers trope, grab your disaster lovebirds from Amazon for free, starting midnight PST on the 20th.
if yall wanted to get my first book for free, you can now! (or, well, tomorrow at midnight)
Hi! Hello! Hey! Yes, you! Have you ever enjoyed BOOKS? Do you like STORIES? Is there a space in your heart for CHARACTERS and PLOTS? Well BOY ARE YOU IN LUCK, because the Magpie Ballads duology has ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND MORE.
Not only is Vale Aida one of my dearest friends (hi Val I love you), she’s also an accomplished and talented writer with a yen for crafting tales with a serious premise and hilarious outcome, or hilarious premise and serious outcome – the woman can do it all. If you’re tired of heterosexuality – read the Magpie Ballads! If you’ve had enough of shoddy worldbuilding in fantasy stories – read the Magpie Ballads! If you’re fed up with reading the same tired tropes written by Western male sf/f writers – read the Magpie Ballads! If you want me to shut up about how great these books are – well, there’s an easy solution!
As for the books themselves, well… they’re clever, they’re plotty, they’re excellently paced, they’re romantic, they’re queer, and they are above all hilarious.
With an enthralling plot, intriguing characters, a voluptuous setting, and an abundance of jaw-dropping twists, this book manages to bring together the best tropes and trends of YA fiction and adult historical fantasy to present a delightful bundle of intelligent writing coupled with a gripping narrative and brilliant character growth. A must-read for anyone in search of an enjoyable read featuring a fascinating cast and world-building of the highest caliber. The second book in the Magpie Ballads duology lives up to its predecessor’s standard in a wonderfully enjoyable fashion. Definitely a must-read for anyone seeking intelligent wit, intriguing characters, a breath-taking plot, and worldbuilding to rival the fantasy greats.
That about sums it up, folks! Read these books! If for no other reason, as a birthday present to THE GREATEST WRITER EVER, who happens to be my very dear friend, VALE AIDA.
(And keep your eyes open for the Hostisnovel, which features the human version of what happens when you mix a peach emoji and a raised eyebrow with some historical fiction and zero impulse control.)
