At a time when Ardalia was still young, the krongos, people of the rock, and accomplished builders, ruled the world. Their cities were legendary, unforgettable. But soon, a split occurred between the Northerners and the Westerners. Valshhyk the Immolated, god of fire and destruction, took the opportunity to expand his territories and destroy almost everything. A mage, Ekelran, had to resort to the greatest sacrifice in order to give the world a chance to carry on.
This mythological, not to say cosmogonic, story describes in a few pages the genesis of the four great civilizations of Ardalia and the most significant events preceding the Ardalia trilogy. For those who have read The Breath of Aoles, Turquoise Water and The Flames of the Immolated, it offers an interesting shift of perspective. For others, it permits an easy introduction to the details of the universe while furnishing a complete synoptic history from a different viewpoint.
Dual language English-French - Ideally suited for having fun learning French, comprises the French version along with the English one.
As a the five first chapters of The Breath of Aoles are also included.
Alan Spade worked for eight years for the press, reviewing video games. In his youth, he acquainted himself with the classic French authors, while immersing himself in the works of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov, J. R. R. Tolkien and Stephen King.
That wide range of influences is reflected in his style, simultaneously approachable, visually evocative and imaginative.
Alan likes to say that "a good book is like a good old pair of shoes: you feel at ease inside, comfortable."
The Breath of Aoles is his third book: previously, he wrote a fantasy novel for two years, between 2001 and 2003, but after submitting it to publishers, he decided the story wasn't good enough. He didn't try to publish it anymore. Then he wrote a Science Fiction short stories collection, and then, for six years, The Breath of Aoles.