I haven't updated for a few months as I've been writing and editing the next book in the Tal'Avern Chronicles series. That has all been completed, and the new book will be publishing on Amazon soon. I'm aiming for a mid to late March release.
First, I'd like to show off the new covers for Books 1 and 2.
The artwork was done by an extremely talented illustrator named Mat Sadler (www.matsadler.com). As I write this, he is working on the cover for the next book in the Tal'Avern Chronicles series.
Both books are available now on Amazon, while Book 3 will be as well as soon as it is published. Right now only digital copies are available, but for those of you who prefer physical books, take heart! Paperback editions are next on my To Do list!
To stay updated, you can follow me on Twitter @ScottBorgman and/or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/saborgman.
Aside from showing off the covers and trying to help Mat get some well deserved exposure, I wanted to say something about the world of Tal'Avern.
* * *
So changing gears, allow me to talk a bit about the world of Tal'Avern. Now, it's certainly not the first fantasy world, nor will it be the last. So what sets it apart from others? What makes Tal'Avern unique?
These are the questions many readers ask themselves when they're looking for something new to read. Obviously, the book cover images are the first thing you see. They look amazing. But the covers only catch your attention. You need more to be compelled to step into the world, am I right? What is it about Tal'Avern that may just help you decide to see what awaits?
And so I offer a peek into the world for you, so that you can have a better understanding of what lies within the pages. Like many fantasy worlds, Tal'Avern has its share of common fantasy themes. Magic, dragons, elves and dwarves, twists and surprises (to name a few).
What sets it apart however, are the characters. Traditionally, the 'heroes' of fantasy books have been male. A few of the most famous characters many fantasy fans recognize are Drizzt and Elminster. I could list others, but you get the point.
Sure, there are always female characters in those stories, but even though they may be portrayed as a 'main character', I kind of feel like most of the time they tend to walk a step behind. Now, there are always exceptions. I merely suggest that this is usually the case.
What makes Tal'Avern unique is that many of the main characters are female. They're not perfect. They struggle, they have flaws, and sometimes they fail. It's what makes them so memorable and so easy to believe in. They don't hide behind the male characters, but they stand beside them as equals. Many times, even a step ahead of them.
When I created the world of Tal'Avern, that was my goal. To break away from the mold, from tradition. Soldiers and city guards in Tal'Avern have women within their ranks. Some command armies, are leaders of noble houses, one in particular is unique among all others in the magical community.
They fight just as hard, their victories are celebrated just as much, and their deaths are mourned with just as many tears. Some attain the highest respect and others commit the darkest of deeds.
With a cast of compelling characters, some you may love and some you may despise. Some you may cheer for, others you may turn the page, hoping that they are about to fall. Some you may share laughs with, and others cry alongside.
So if you're looking for something new, something different, and something that I believe is a break from tradition in the fantasy genre, below you'll find the links to the first two books. If this will be your first trip to Tal'Avern, I recommend starting with the first book in the series, Province of a Thief.
The second book, Darkness and Dragons, continues the story. It brings back many of the characters that you meet in Province as well as introducing new ones. The third book in the series I am hoping to have published by the end of March 2015.
I truly hope you enjoy the journey. It is my honor to say to you: Welcome to Tal'Avern.
* * *
US/Canada (Amazon.com)
Province of a Thief: www.amazon.com/dp/B00KR140EO/
Darkness and Dragons: www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSWNHPO/
UK (Amazon.co.uk)
Province of a Thief: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KR140EO/
Darkness and Dragons: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LSWNHPO
