The Seven Spires
by Russell Archey
GENRE: Fantasy
BLURB:
An incredible high fantasy adventure set in a world based on familiar fairy tales, folklore, and mythology, "The Seven Spires" is an epic story of dragons, magic, conquering evil, and discovering magnificent new places.
When a fearsome creature known as Wyvern begins terrorizing Emrallt, one of the seven realms of the continent of Septer, a group of heroes are brought together seemingly by fate to rally against him. A prince, warrior, wizard, and mysterious, sorceress-like sybil try to discover why a common maiden could be the best chance their kingdoms have against Wyvern’s growing forces that threaten to dominate each and every one of the ancient, arcane spires that bind their kingdoms, and world, together.
Excerpt:
Wyvern recognized their broken language and knew that White-eye spoke of more than just a town guard or good-natured passerby. Ratlings cared little for the difference between common humans, merchants, and even nobility. It was only a difference in what goods they could pilfer; however, when a ratling described one as ‘important,’ that often meant ‘royalty’.
“The important man—what did he look like?” Wyvern asked.
The two deplorable rodents looked up at him in confusion. They looked through arms held in front of their faces as if toward off a pending strike. Wyvern leaned forward on his forelimbs.
“You said he was ‘important.’ He wore blue clothes. What did he look like? Face, hair—what?” he growled with small tongues of fire licking around his teeth.
“Also pretty, like lady!” Moss Blossom squealed. “Nice clothes! Long blue vest with another tower—different shiny stone, blue shiny stone…”
Wyvern growled in frustration. The Blue Prince of Avallonis. The little fop could bring Wyvern no end of misery; an army’s worth of misery to be exact. Especially if he had his sights set on the Maiden.
“He threatened you?” Wyvern asked of them.
“Y-yes, with sharp metal. He threaten blood,” White-eye answered. Moss Blossom nodded her head vigorously in agreement.
“Indeed, you had no choice but to flee,” Wyvern said. “But, rules are rules…” he added with menace.
Interview with Russell Archey
What was the hardest scene from your book to write?
One particular section that stands out as a whole is when the Maiden meets the wizard of the Amber Kingdom, Vitruvia. Trying to properly describe the Maiden existing in a place between dreams, death, and reality all at once was challenging enough. Having her hold a conversation with an eccentric wizard who studies and travels the realm of dreams trying to cryptically explain everything was even more challenging. Then, placing them both at one of the spires where she’s invisible and he can be as visible as he wants to be was even MORE challenging! I still find myself going back to that chapter to see how it sounds.
Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
I like genres of many different types: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, thrillers, and the like. I’m drawn mostly to dark fantasy and horror, as I find that speaks to me the most. I prefer fantasy settings and I like them even more so when they’re given a grim twist!
“The Seven Spires” is high fantasy built around fairy tales, mythology, and folk lore, but there’s some touches of grimness here and there. Although I like sci-fi, I just can’t seem to get a feel for writing a story in that space (pun intended). So, for now I like to stick with the worlds I feel confident building.
If you write in more than one genre, how do you balance them?
Since I focus mostly in fantasy and horror, I often find myself combining them or at the least writing more dark fantasy so I don’t have to balance too much. However, when I do write something like “The Seven Spires”, I try to keep a more adventurous mindset. I imagine settings like “The Lord of the Rings” and “Elder Scrolls” and less “The Witcher” and “Bloodborne.”
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
When writing “The Seven Spires,” I created the seven separate kingdoms built around their unique themes which was fun to create. After that, I tried to let the characters drive themselves – although that certainly creates its own issues!
It was also very different to write something high fantasy and almost whimsical compared to what I’ve previously written.
What book that you have read has most influenced your life?
I can think of many books that burrowed into my psyche and left a long-lasting impression. However, one of the first books that made me realize my love of narratives and characters was actually Gary Paulsen’s “The Transall Saga”.
I don’t know if many people even remember this book or even know it exists, but it combines Paulsen’s themes and descriptions of survival (like “The Hatchet”) with science fiction.
In whatever high-school grade I was in at the time, we had to do the obligatory book report. We went to the library as a class and I was trying to find something to do this report over. I wasn’t an avid reader then so it felt really tedious. I liked the cover of Paulsen’s book, so I went with that. I started reading a few days later and finished the book in a single night, staying up until 1 or 2 in the morning. I was infatuated with the story. What would’ve happened next? There’s no way this person doesn’t get to see that one anymore! I am not satisfied with this ending!
My love of stories began to grow from that moment on.
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Before trying to become a writer and build my own narratives, I worked for the US Government for a decade. I was writing “The Seven Spires” and many other books and short stories during that time. I decided I didn’t want my life to be defined by cubicle (albeit a very stable and well-paid one), so I began to vehemently follow my passions.
I decided I didn’t just want to write stories, but tell them, too! So, I began working my way into voice over. I’ve narrated over 350 hours of other authors’ works, as well as many other projects and characters!
I can remember writing all the way back in elementary school, when I would use lined notebook paper to write the stories on and draw my own illustrations at the top. Art has never really taken off for me, but who knows—maybe I’ll try that, too!
I’m also a huge video game nerd and recently discovered retro gaming to my wallet’s detriment, and I absolutely love board games (I have a separate room in my house to store them all…).
Can you tell us something about your book that is not in the summary?
You’ll get to visit each realm in the setting in this one book, some more than others. Each is built around its own themes. For example: Avallonis is heavily inspired by Arthurian myth and shiny, chivalric high fantasy. Edda is basically desert Vikings (and named after the Nordic literary work, The Prose Edda). A version of Ragnarok occurred that turned their land into a desert filled with some of the world’s most dangerous creatures, which has only amplified their warrior culture. Vitruvia, being far more technically advanced, is named after Da Vinci’s The Vitruvian Man—which is often shown on aged parchment that, to me, has an amber color. Hence, the Amber Kingdom. The Opal Kingdom is based on ancient Greece, but unfortunately the book doesn’t have time to delve too much into its history or people. My favorite, however, is the Emerald Kingdom, Emrallt. It’s designed to be the most whimsical and fairy tale-ish. I imagined a lot of old 80’s fantasy films, especially those involving Jim Henson’s creations, when I was creating the setting and countryside.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
“Russell Archey has been writing since he was old enough to hold a pencil. His love for narratives, world-building, and story-telling has fed into nearly every aspect of his life: from his video and board game hobbies to pressing his most cherished books onto his unfortunate children (who will, one day, read the Lord of the Rings trilogy whether they like it or not). When he's not creating new worlds and horrifying things to threaten them with destruction, he's bringing other author's fantastic works to life as an audiobook narrator, spending time with his two children, and pressing his dear wife's eternal patience with his quirky habits.”
Author Links:
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram
Book Links:
Goodreads ~ Smashwords ~ Amazon
2 comments:
I love the cover and think the book sounds great.
The cover is beautiful.
Thanks for the contest.
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