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“The time for Kiero’s reign in prosperity is over.”
Six years before the Black Dawn Rebellion, Adair Stratton and Emory
Six years before the Black Dawn Rebellion, Adair Stratton and Emory
Fae are following in their parent’s footsteps and living at The Academy,
a home for those who are gifted. The pressure to uphold the future of
their parent’s dream falls on them. An outcast and feared by most,
Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future.
Even if Emory tries to make him see differently. An unexpected group
of friends keep him there, but as whispers of unexplained disappearances
start reaching from the capital, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is
all it seems.
An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from
An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from
across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir,
Marquis Maher sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath- for
the first time in years, they demand the Fae’s listen to their proposition
for a new treaty, holding the news of Nei’s father’s abrupt death over
them. Caught in the middle of politics- Adair and Emory, with the help
of their best friends Brokk and Memphis search for the one thing that
matters most- finding out the truth.
In this gripping prequel to Black Dawn, their world is tipped upside down
In this gripping prequel to Black Dawn, their world is tipped upside down
as unlikely alliances are made. War ravages through Kiero and is torn
apart by acclaimed Kings. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden
magic and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision- to fight or to
bow to the darkness within him.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Excerpt:
He collided back into the present so hard he rolled over and emptied
the contents of his stomach. Gasping for breath, he threw up his iron
walls, sealing them tight, and the well of voices quieted until it was
just him, only to notice how silent outside the tent was. The hairs on
his arm rose as he silently stood, slinging his pack over his shoulder
and unsheathing his weathered sword. Everything made sense. How
hard Tadeas pushed them to reach the capital, how loud they were
being. It was practically ensuring Cesan would come sniffing. To fall
into the king’s trap. Only for Tadeas to kill him with no chance of
justice. To hear both sides.
Rage ripped through him of how fast Roque had risked them all, had
bent to the claim of being King. What did Cesan know? What was
Roque afraid would be found? Cold sweat soaked through his shirt as
he pushed the thoughts down for now. The firelight danced outside,
and he could see Brokk and Alby’s silhouettes, their voices a low
murmur. That’s when he heard the howling. Distant at first, like a
humming in the night. Then drawing unnaturally closer, faster, the
sounds of hundreds. He shot out of the tent, taking in his friends
bathed in the glow from the fire, all of them frozen. It was the same
effect as losing all sense of clarity. The lurching panic, and then
helplessness, as you grappled to hold onto anything.
bent to the claim of being King. What did Cesan know? What was
Roque afraid would be found? Cold sweat soaked through his shirt as
he pushed the thoughts down for now. The firelight danced outside,
and he could see Brokk and Alby’s silhouettes, their voices a low
murmur. That’s when he heard the howling. Distant at first, like a
humming in the night. Then drawing unnaturally closer, faster, the
sounds of hundreds. He shot out of the tent, taking in his friends
bathed in the glow from the fire, all of them frozen. It was the same
effect as losing all sense of clarity. The lurching panic, and then
helplessness, as you grappled to hold onto anything.
The screaming started first at the north end of the camp. Brokk stood,
all color draining from his face. Memphis spun, taking in the nightmare
forming. Their bodies were like sleek armored plates, gleaming and
muscular. Their elongated torsos were like serpents, twisting and
flexing as they propelled forward with long black legs. Their bald
bodies shimmered like water against the firelight, reflecting their
drooling maws and inky teeth. Their orange eyes gleamed with
madness as they cut down through tents and bodies. He had heard of
creatures of dark ancient magic before. Ones that were told to children
to keep their fears heightened and curiosity in check. But as he saw the
first monster rip the throat out of one of Tadeas’s men, this was the
farthest thing from bedtime stories of old.
all color draining from his face. Memphis spun, taking in the nightmare
forming. Their bodies were like sleek armored plates, gleaming and
muscular. Their elongated torsos were like serpents, twisting and
flexing as they propelled forward with long black legs. Their bald
bodies shimmered like water against the firelight, reflecting their
drooling maws and inky teeth. Their orange eyes gleamed with
madness as they cut down through tents and bodies. He had heard of
creatures of dark ancient magic before. Ones that were told to children
to keep their fears heightened and curiosity in check. But as he saw the
first monster rip the throat out of one of Tadeas’s men, this was the
farthest thing from bedtime stories of old.
Utter chaos broke out as Brokk threw himself forward, shifting in one
motion, as his colossal paws thundered, shaking the earth. Alby drew
his sword, and immediately became invisible. Roars rose from the
creatures as he assaulted them, unseen. Heart thundering, Memphis
drew his own. Everything moved in slow motion. He felt himself
take in the numbers of the monsters as they poured into the camp,
their rage and their might crashed into their own. It was a battle of
tyrants. Yelling, he bounded forward, his ability already two steps
ahead of him, reacting in his fear. His talons exploded, slashing their
dark minds, grasping their will, their bodies, holding them still as
Brokk made his landing blow. He ducked. Slashed. Growling,
thrusting his blade forward. His ability cut and unbound the
creature’s minds. He was a darkened duet, of body and ability, the
two forces creating a lethal harmony. Their inky talons, and severed
bodies filled his senses as he heard The King of the Shattered Isles roar.
motion, as his colossal paws thundered, shaking the earth. Alby drew
his sword, and immediately became invisible. Roars rose from the
creatures as he assaulted them, unseen. Heart thundering, Memphis
drew his own. Everything moved in slow motion. He felt himself
take in the numbers of the monsters as they poured into the camp,
their rage and their might crashed into their own. It was a battle of
tyrants. Yelling, he bounded forward, his ability already two steps
ahead of him, reacting in his fear. His talons exploded, slashing their
dark minds, grasping their will, their bodies, holding them still as
Brokk made his landing blow. He ducked. Slashed. Growling,
thrusting his blade forward. His ability cut and unbound the
creature’s minds. He was a darkened duet, of body and ability, the
two forces creating a lethal harmony. Their inky talons, and severed
bodies filled his senses as he heard The King of the Shattered Isles roar.
Road to Publication
Thanks for having me! The road to publication is different for every
author, but for me I was fortunate to find my way to Clean Reads
publishing. After finishing the first draft of Black Dawn, I queried
for about a year and a half before getting an acceptance letter from
Clean Reads. The road to publication can be a long one, and trying,
but with the Black Dawn series, this story has stretched across ten
years of my life, and it is the most gratifying feeling to find a
company that believes in you and your voice as a writer.
About the Author
Mallory McCartney currently lives in Sarnia, Ontario with her
husband and their three dachshunds Link, Lola and Leonard. When
she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found day
dreaming about fantasy worlds and hiking. Other favorite pastimes
involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and
seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.
Author Links:
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