Elena May's Blog - Posts Tagged "men-and-monsters"
Men and Monsters blurb!
Hey all! The first draft blurb for Men and Monsters, the second book in my YA fantasy series Nightfall, is here, and I’ll be happy to hear your thoughts. What works, what doesn’t work, and anything else that comes to your mind.
I’ve tried to keep it as spoiler-free as possible, but if gives a general idea of the state of the world at the end of Kingdom of Ashes. I’ve phrased it in vague terms, but if you are currently reading Kingdom of Ashes or are planning to read it soon, I’d recommend to finish it before reading this blurb.
Here we go!
The stakes have changed. For fifty years, Prince Vladimir has tolerated the Resistance, but now they threaten what he holds dear. The vicious vampire will no longer hold back. A plan he has been working on for decades will finally reveal itself and entangle everyone standing on the way.
For the first time after the Nightfall, the Resistance holds a true bargaining chip. For the first time, they have a chance to tip the scales of the war and ensure humanity’s survival. But Myra has made a promise, and breaking it will destroy all that is human in her. She is loyal to the Resistance, but nothing is black and white. Long-buried secrets emerge, teaching her that vampires can be more honorable than humans, and humans can be more monstrous than the beasts.
A desperate nobleman, fighting to save a doomed culture. A reclusive poet, choosing art over immortality. A vampire, rejecting her raw nature. Past and present weave together in an action-packed tale of power games, hopeless fight for survival, and the indestructible human need to create art.
Thanks!
I’ve tried to keep it as spoiler-free as possible, but if gives a general idea of the state of the world at the end of Kingdom of Ashes. I’ve phrased it in vague terms, but if you are currently reading Kingdom of Ashes or are planning to read it soon, I’d recommend to finish it before reading this blurb.
Here we go!
The stakes have changed. For fifty years, Prince Vladimir has tolerated the Resistance, but now they threaten what he holds dear. The vicious vampire will no longer hold back. A plan he has been working on for decades will finally reveal itself and entangle everyone standing on the way.
For the first time after the Nightfall, the Resistance holds a true bargaining chip. For the first time, they have a chance to tip the scales of the war and ensure humanity’s survival. But Myra has made a promise, and breaking it will destroy all that is human in her. She is loyal to the Resistance, but nothing is black and white. Long-buried secrets emerge, teaching her that vampires can be more honorable than humans, and humans can be more monstrous than the beasts.
A desperate nobleman, fighting to save a doomed culture. A reclusive poet, choosing art over immortality. A vampire, rejecting her raw nature. Past and present weave together in an action-packed tale of power games, hopeless fight for survival, and the indestructible human need to create art.
Thanks!
Men and Monsters cover reveal coming in one month!
Exciting news! I have the Men and Monsters cover, and I'll be ready to share it with you very soon! The cover reveal is coming on February 2nd and is hosted by Betwixt the Pages. If you're unfamiliar with the heap of penguiny goodness which is this book blog, you're missing on so much.
To celebrate the reveal, I'll be running a giveaway for a signed Kingdom of Ashes paperback, signed character cards, and other bookish gifts. Stay tuned for more!
Also, in case you missed it, Men and Monsters now has a draft blurb:
The stakes have changed. For fifty years, Prince Vladimir has tolerated the Resistance, but now they threaten what he holds dear. The vicious vampire will no longer hold back. A plan he has been working on for decades will finally reveal itself and entangle everyone standing on the way.
For the first time after the Nightfall, the Resistance holds a true bargaining chip. For the first time, they have a chance to tip the scales of the war and ensure humanity’s survival. But Myra has made a promise, and breaking it will destroy all that is human in her. She is loyal to the Resistance, but nothing is black and white. Long-buried secrets emerge, teaching her that vampires can be more honorable than humans, and humans can be more monstrous than the beasts.
A desperate nobleman, fighting to save a doomed culture. A reclusive poet, choosing art over immortality. A vampire, rejecting her raw nature. Past and present weave together in an action-packed tale of power games, hopeless fight for survival, and the indestructible human need to create art.
Happy reading! <3
To celebrate the reveal, I'll be running a giveaway for a signed Kingdom of Ashes paperback, signed character cards, and other bookish gifts. Stay tuned for more!
Also, in case you missed it, Men and Monsters now has a draft blurb:
The stakes have changed. For fifty years, Prince Vladimir has tolerated the Resistance, but now they threaten what he holds dear. The vicious vampire will no longer hold back. A plan he has been working on for decades will finally reveal itself and entangle everyone standing on the way.
For the first time after the Nightfall, the Resistance holds a true bargaining chip. For the first time, they have a chance to tip the scales of the war and ensure humanity’s survival. But Myra has made a promise, and breaking it will destroy all that is human in her. She is loyal to the Resistance, but nothing is black and white. Long-buried secrets emerge, teaching her that vampires can be more honorable than humans, and humans can be more monstrous than the beasts.
A desperate nobleman, fighting to save a doomed culture. A reclusive poet, choosing art over immortality. A vampire, rejecting her raw nature. Past and present weave together in an action-packed tale of power games, hopeless fight for survival, and the indestructible human need to create art.
Happy reading! <3
The Men and Monsters Cover Is Out!!!
The Men and Monsters cover is out! Go to Betwixt the Pages to check it out and come back to tell me what you think :D:D
And don't forget to enter the Giveaway! You can win a signed Kingdom of Ashes paperback and more!
And don't forget to enter the Giveaway! You can win a signed Kingdom of Ashes paperback and more!
Writing updates!
Hi everybody!
Men and Monsters
is now in the editing stages, and I've decided to keep you posted on the progress.
I've written a "review" where I try to share frequent updates: See it here!
I'm also using the review to post pictures from my journey through the places we see in Vlad's origin story:
Meanwhile, I've started writing a brand new book — a standalone fantasy based on Greek mythology.
But don't worry — this doesn't distract me from writing Men and Monsters! I'm only working on the new book while waiting for feedback from editors. It's called Taste of Pomegranates.
If you're familiar with Greek mythology, I'm sure you can guess which story it's based on!
I've written a "review" where I try to share frequent updates: See it here!
I'm also using the review to post pictures from my journey through the places we see in Vlad's origin story:
Meanwhile, I've started writing a brand new book — a standalone fantasy based on Greek mythology.
But don't worry — this doesn't distract me from writing Men and Monsters! I'm only working on the new book while waiting for feedback from editors. It's called Taste of Pomegranates.
If you're familiar with Greek mythology, I'm sure you can guess which story it's based on!
Get a Men and Monsters eARC
Men and Monsters is now in the editing stages, and I'll have eARCs and paperback ARCs available months before publication.
And I have decided to give eARCs to everyone who has reviewed Kingdom of Ashes on Goodreads!
The rules are very simple:
- You need to have posted a text review for Kingdom of Ashes on Goodreads before November 30th 2018. Reviews written in the past also count.
- Naturally, the star rating doesn’t matter. You don’t have to put a star rating at all, as long as you post a text review.
- The only condition is that you need to have read Kingdom of Ashes . DNF reviews and pre-reading thoughts don’t count. Men and Monsters starts where Kingdom of Ashes ends, and it wouldn’t make sense to read them in reverse order.
- Although you only need to post your review on Goodreads, reposting on Amazon and other vendors is greatly appreciated.
If you don’t have a copy of Kingdom of Ashes yet, you can now get it at a discounted price of 0.99 USD/EUR/GBP until November 29th 2018. After that, the price will go back to 3.99.
What do you need to do to claim your eARC?
- Send an email to arcs@kingdomofashes.net including a link to your text review and your preferred format (mobi, epub, or pdf)
I’ll probably start giving out the first eARCs around June or July, but you can claim yours at any time before the publication date on November 30th.
You want a paperback ARC? I’ll be running a few giveaways on Goodreads and my blog, so stay tuned!
And I have decided to give eARCs to everyone who has reviewed Kingdom of Ashes on Goodreads!
The rules are very simple:
- You need to have posted a text review for Kingdom of Ashes on Goodreads before November 30th 2018. Reviews written in the past also count.
- Naturally, the star rating doesn’t matter. You don’t have to put a star rating at all, as long as you post a text review.
- The only condition is that you need to have read Kingdom of Ashes . DNF reviews and pre-reading thoughts don’t count. Men and Monsters starts where Kingdom of Ashes ends, and it wouldn’t make sense to read them in reverse order.
- Although you only need to post your review on Goodreads, reposting on Amazon and other vendors is greatly appreciated.
If you don’t have a copy of Kingdom of Ashes yet, you can now get it at a discounted price of 0.99 USD/EUR/GBP until November 29th 2018. After that, the price will go back to 3.99.
What do you need to do to claim your eARC?
- Send an email to arcs@kingdomofashes.net including a link to your text review and your preferred format (mobi, epub, or pdf)
I’ll probably start giving out the first eARCs around June or July, but you can claim yours at any time before the publication date on November 30th.
You want a paperback ARC? I’ll be running a few giveaways on Goodreads and my blog, so stay tuned!
Men and Monsters Spring Paperback Giveaway
Do you want to win a pretty Men and Monsters paperback? Signed copy plus bonus bookish gifts?
If yes, keep reading...
***
Spring (or autumn, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere) comes on March 20. If you've read Men and Monsters, you know that Vlad not only used to celebrate the spring equinox as a human, but also used it to coordinate a meeting time and place with Callisto in the future. He also first meets Lucien, who will become a more prominent character in later books, on the night of the spring equinox. Thus, I have decided to mark the day/night and run a Spring Paperback Giveaway!
To participate, you need to do two things:
1. Read Men and Monsters, if you haven't already, and post your honest review on Goodreads. Star rating doesn't matter as long as it's a text review and you have finished the book.
2. Tell me what you are looking forward to in Book 3.
Email me at elena@kingdomofashes.net by March 20 with:
- "Spring Giveaway" as you subject
- A link to your Goodreads review
- Your thoughts on what you are looking forward to in Book 3. Can be as short or as long as you like
You will then enter a lottery to win the prize: A signed Men and Monsters paperback and surprise gifts!
The giveaway is open worldwide.
Good luck!
If yes, keep reading...
***
Spring (or autumn, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere) comes on March 20. If you've read Men and Monsters, you know that Vlad not only used to celebrate the spring equinox as a human, but also used it to coordinate a meeting time and place with Callisto in the future. He also first meets Lucien, who will become a more prominent character in later books, on the night of the spring equinox. Thus, I have decided to mark the day/night and run a Spring Paperback Giveaway!
To participate, you need to do two things:
1. Read Men and Monsters, if you haven't already, and post your honest review on Goodreads. Star rating doesn't matter as long as it's a text review and you have finished the book.
2. Tell me what you are looking forward to in Book 3.
Email me at elena@kingdomofashes.net by March 20 with:
- "Spring Giveaway" as you subject
- A link to your Goodreads review
- Your thoughts on what you are looking forward to in Book 3. Can be as short or as long as you like
You will then enter a lottery to win the prize: A signed Men and Monsters paperback and surprise gifts!
The giveaway is open worldwide.
Good luck!
Where am I? Solve this riddle to win a SIGNED Men and Monsters paperback
Throne of Blood, Book 3 in the Nightfall series, is approaching completion, and I can already tell you a secret...
Chapter One, "Legend" will be the first chapter in the series from Vlad's point of view. While we have seen his story in Men and Monsters, we hear it through Myra and through what he chooses to tell her. Now, for the first time, we will properly get inside his head.
I have two questions for you, and if you answer correctly, you'll enter a lottery to win a Men and Monsters signed paperback!
1. Where is Vlad in the opening chapter of Throne of Blood?
2. What is he doing there?
How on earth should you know that, you ask. Simple! You just need to guess where I am:
Check my website for details how to enter and more clues!
Chapter One, "Legend" will be the first chapter in the series from Vlad's point of view. While we have seen his story in Men and Monsters, we hear it through Myra and through what he chooses to tell her. Now, for the first time, we will properly get inside his head.
I have two questions for you, and if you answer correctly, you'll enter a lottery to win a Men and Monsters signed paperback!
1. Where is Vlad in the opening chapter of Throne of Blood?
2. What is he doing there?
How on earth should you know that, you ask. Simple! You just need to guess where I am:
Check my website for details how to enter and more clues!
Daybreak
Today is March 1st, and, if you've read Men and Monsters, you might remember that this is a big date in the Nightfall universe. It is the night of a certain big battle that changes the state of the world and will soon become known as the Daybreak.
Men and Monsters gives a few hints why Vlad choose this specific date for the battle, and Throne of Blood reveals a few more details. I thought it's a fitting day to share how the book is going!
The first draft is complete! I am now doing revisions, and then the book needs to go through a few beta readers and editors, but I hope to be able to share it with you very soon!
Throne of Blood is a different book from the previous two. While human characters make guest apparenaces, we see the story mostly entirely from the vampires' point of view. The world grows bigger, and we travel much move in both space and time!
Looking forward to sharing it with you. In the meantime, Happy Baba Marta to everyone celbrating! ♥ ♥ ♥
Men and Monsters gives a few hints why Vlad choose this specific date for the battle, and Throne of Blood reveals a few more details. I thought it's a fitting day to share how the book is going!
The first draft is complete! I am now doing revisions, and then the book needs to go through a few beta readers and editors, but I hope to be able to share it with you very soon!
Throne of Blood is a different book from the previous two. While human characters make guest apparenaces, we see the story mostly entirely from the vampires' point of view. The world grows bigger, and we travel much move in both space and time!
Looking forward to sharing it with you. In the meantime, Happy Baba Marta to everyone celbrating! ♥ ♥ ♥
Free eBooks between May 1st and 10th!
Hi everyone!
If you've followed me in the past, you must know by now that I respect one old hobbit tradition: giving gifts to others on one's own birthday!
And as my birthday is coming up on May 5th, I will be giving away free copies of Kingdom of Ashes and Men and Monsters!
Book 3, Throne of Blood, is coming out later this year, so that's a great opportunity to catch up with the series for free before release date 😊
All you need to do is send me a Goodreads message with "Free eBooks" in the subject line between May 1st and May 10th.
Please include the following:
- Your preferred format (mobi, epub or pdf)
- An email where you'd like to receive it
Happy reading! 💖
If you've followed me in the past, you must know by now that I respect one old hobbit tradition: giving gifts to others on one's own birthday!
And as my birthday is coming up on May 5th, I will be giving away free copies of Kingdom of Ashes and Men and Monsters!
Book 3, Throne of Blood, is coming out later this year, so that's a great opportunity to catch up with the series for free before release date 😊
All you need to do is send me a Goodreads message with "Free eBooks" in the subject line between May 1st and May 10th.
Please include the following:
- Your preferred format (mobi, epub or pdf)
- An email where you'd like to receive it
Happy reading! 💖
