Showing posts with label dark fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dark fantasy. Show all posts

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Maidenjade Book 2: The Shadows of Winter


 Here's a link to the second book in the Chronicles of Maidenjade series, written by William Kenney and Stefain. We had so much fun with the first book. The characters, settings and events could not stop there. 


https://tinyurl.com/y3ds64l5 

will lead you to the Amazon page to purchase this book. 

Monday, October 14, 2019

Maidenjade Book 1



Maidenjade is a dark fantasy series that I am co-authoring with my good friend Stefain. This city is evil, inhabited by thieves, assassins and the most sinister of magics. The book can be purchased at this link on Amazon:

Buy Maidenjade.

I hope you give it a try and enjoy it. Book 2 will be released very soon. Stay tuned!


William



Saturday, September 17, 2016

The maps of Maidenjade












 For those reading the Maidenjade book, I have uploaded these maps for your enjoyment. Some of the landmarks are here and some district/street names. I hope to add to them as time goes by. If you look closely you can find The Velvet Cat Tavern and the two common entrances into the Deepdark.














Wednesday, April 16, 2014

In the Shadow of the Black Sun: The Complete Trilogy now available everywhere!

So here it is, my friends. All 3 books of the trilogy have been collected into 1 ebook and now include illustrations by yours truly. The fully painted covers are included at the beginning of each individual book. This has truly been a labor of love for me and it feels very satisfying to have finished the story (so far). Readers have already asked if the story would continue. It's always possible, however right now I'll be taking a break from the fantasy genre. I am finishing a horror novel at the moment. It's very close to complete, then we'll see what bubbles up from my mind. I've always had more ideas than I knew what to do with.

To download the complete trilogy for the Kindle, click here: In the Shadow of the Black Sun: The Complete Trilogy at Amazon US.

Amazon UK readers click here: In the Shadow of the Black Sun: The Complete Trilogy at Amazon UK.

Also available through Smashwords in all other formats: In the Shadow of the Black Sun: The Complete Trilogy at Smashwords.

I want to thank you all very much for your support as always. For now I return to Elfwhere and scribble notes for future tales.

Walk with the Wind,

William

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Mournenhile now available at Smashwords!

Hey,
I just published the third book of the In the Shadow of the Black Sun trilogy. It will take a day or two for it to go live on Amazon, but it is currently available on Smashwords. This book comes in at just under 500 pages. I hope you enjoy it.

Download from Smashwords HERE.

William

Sunday, January 27, 2013

An excerpt: In the Shadow of the Black Sun, Book 3

-->
For nearly three hours they descended. The touch of the ice tore the flesh from their feet on occasion, leaving smeared crimson prints behind them.
They felt nothing.
The chattering of unseen things sounded out around them, hiding in the dark recesses of the pit, watching the newcomers as they entered their world. The call of their father was so strong here in his home that it blinded their senses, pulled them along like a river's current.
At long last, the crystalline stairway came to an end, a wide translucent floor spreading out in all directions. The light from far above cast a circular shape at its center and at its edge the darkness began to deepen. All was silent, only the whistling of the frigid wind reaching them this far into the earth.
The boy hesitated, his eyes full of uncertainty as he studied the black areas around them. His sister grabbed his hand and moved ahead, skipping out of the light and sinking into the thick shadow. Their eyes adjusted immediately, an apparent gift from their father and all was clear to them. The way ahead led through countless pillars of ice, formed when the waterfalls had frozen. The bones and skulls of beast and man were embedded inside, their shapes distorted by the nature of their tomb.
Among these tall columns, thin figures stood watching, pale and fleshy wings hanging from their shoulders like a cloak of dead skin. There was death here. The smell of it filled the air like a long-slaughtered army of thousands. They soon noticed the shapes of unrecognizable things entombed within the walls of the place, mythic creatures only spoken of in fictional tales. They were preserved perfectly behind the transparent surface.
"Almost there," the girl encouraged, leading her brother down a narrow side passage. "Father is very close."
They passed scores of the Inquitis, the hissing breath of which emanated through the corridors. Their cancerous flesh was as grey-blue as the sky outside, yet the cold seemed to have no effect on them much like the siblings. Vaporous clouds hovered about their skeletal faces for, unlike the children, they breathed. Mournenhile had imbued them with the spark of life or a semblance of such.
The odor of decay grew much stronger and ahead they could see that the corridor opened up into an immense chamber. Then, the screams reached them, faint at first, thousands of voices shouting in agony. They glanced at one another, puzzled. The girl shrugged with an evil grin and pulled him along with a tug.
When they reached the end of the corridor, the floor dropped off and the roof rose to dizzying heights. At the edge, they carefully peered over, the overpowering smell and cacophonous noise sending them back a step. Far below, in the dim light, countless naked bodies thrashed, struggling to stay afloat in an icy underground sea of slush. Even from afar, it was apparent that they had been returned from death's veil, skin hanging like paper upon their bones. Sightless eyes looked to the ceiling of the chamber as they climbed upon each other in a futile attempt to escape the biting water.
They pulled and scratched with nails long rotten, intertwined hopelessly in a mass of broken limbs and ruptured organs.
Kripplemourn, the keep of their father, melted from below.


Thank you for stopping by,

William

Sunday, November 4, 2012

New lower prices on In the Shadow of the Black Sun!

I bet you didn't realize the prices have been reduced for the 2 books of the In the Shadow of the Black Sun series, did you? I want as many fantasy fans to read them as possible, so I'm making them as affordable as I can. A Dream of Storms, once $4.99, is now only $2.99! Book Two, Shards of S'Darin was, until recently, $5.99. It can now be downloaded for a mere $3.99. For those looking for an exciting fantasy adventure with interesting characters and events, have a look. You can read a sample of each book free regardless of which site you visit.

Download A Dream of Storms from:

Amazon for the Kindle

Smashwords in any format. Scroll down for all of your options.


Links for Shards of S'Darin are here:

Amazon for the Kindle

Smashwords in any format. Scroll down for all of your options.


And if you are based in the UK, here are your Amazon links.

A Dream of Storms

Shards of S'Darin

Some of the other retailers have yet to update the pricing and still have the books listed at the old price. So if you visit Barnes and Noble or iTunes, it may take a few days for them to change it over.

I thank you all for your support. If you read the books, please leave a comment or send me an email with your thoughts.

Walk with the Wind,
William

Thursday, September 13, 2012

From the mouths of readers


 Just wanted to share some reviews that I am particularly proud of.



"The authenticity of this book really astounded me. Everything just seemed flawlessly believable, and the dialogue especially added to this. It just seemed to flow effortlessly, the language suited the text and the storyline perfectly, things that I appreciate in a fantasy novel."

"There are many things to keep going in any fantasy genre to suspend your belief for a few moments here and there and William does it like a pro. This novel is on par with anything in the genre for sale today in my opinion. His characters have depth, emotion, and motivations and the journey is worth it."

"The one thing I enjoyed about this book; the originality. It deals with the good versus evil theme but there are some characters introduced who are not all that they seem, and I do enjoy reading about complicated characters."

 "A great story that had me sitting on the edge of my seat, worrying over the characters and the ending (what an ending!) has made me very, very eager to read the next novel in this new (and promising!) series, a series that deserves its place on my bookshelf next to my fantasy favourites."

"His world building is excellent. It is skillfully done, rarely intruding on the action, and filled with wonderful details: the Woodwardens; the mysterious Wisp; the decrepit city of Overbrook; the Talon; Elfwhere; the Inquitis, demonic creatures. It hangs together with a real depth, a sense of history that is vital for good fantasy to work."

Download A Dream of Storms.

Monday, May 21, 2012

For your reading pleasure...

With all of this talk of cover art, I thought I would mention the books that I have written. These are all available on Amazon.com. Click the cover image and you will be taken to the product page. For those who love a great fantasy tale, I give you:

In the Shadow of the Black Sun 
Book One:
A Dream of Storms

Twelve years ago, The Battle of the Black Sun had left Hagan scarred inside. The scent of blood and the incessant ring of steel were etched in his mind. Though his sword had turned the tides, he had sworn off war and become a recluse, retiring to the hills above his hometown of Lauden and turning to drink. He had hoped to be forgotten. The world would not let him forget the oath that he had sworn in his youth, however, and an honorable Stone Troll named Gorin was sent to convince Hagan to honor it. Councilcrane, the ruling body of mages, had summoned him to the city of Harquinn and Hagan knew that the threat of war from across The Edge must have returned.

Gorin brought ill tidings. Autumn had never come to Elfwhere, but the leaves had begun to fall, foretelling the return of the dark lord Mournenhile, thought destroyed all those years ago. Like an ungodly pairing of bat and wolf, Mournenhile's army of Pith have swarmed into the Elven forest bent on their utter destruction.

Reluctantly, Hagan must once more step into the horrors of war and offer his blade to the cause. Joined by his inexperienced younger brother, D'Pharin and a small group of new companions (Vasparian, an Elf that served with Hagan under the Black Sun, Windenn, the Woodwarden and Shindire, the haughty Elf from across The Sleeping Sea) he sets off for the ancient city of Harquinn with a heavy heart.

What will the mages ask of him this time? Memories of atrocities committed in the name of Harquinn flooded back into his mind.

Can he become the hero that he once was, redeeming himself and driving back the horrific creatures within the armies of Mournenhile?

Book Two:
Shards of S'Darin

 Malhain and the forces of Mournenhile now occupy the west's most important stronghold. After narrowly escaping the battle, Davaris, possibly now the last living mage, pulls the others along on a seemingly impossible quest; to gather the remnants of S'Darin's staff, destroyed on the battlefield years ago. The only person that knows the location of S'Darin's staff is a madman, now locked away in Harrow Isle, an island asylum only accessible through Pahn Pirik, the underground kingdom of the Dwarves. The true nature of Shindire's visit to the mainland becomes apparent as they set off on their long journey into the barren south.

The forest of Elfwhere has nearly been destroyed. Vasparian and Gorin return to the forest of the Elves in the hopes of defending its capital and rescuing Vasparian's family. Can the Elves convince the mysterious Addrefae to fight, unleashing their ancient sorcery against their common enemy?

Thousands strong, a shambling column of diseased people travel mindlessly toward the north. What is Trune's role in Mournenhile's evil plan and will the true nature of the plague finally be revealed?

Tales of Embremere:
Book One:
Embremere

The majestic city of Embremere had been built on an immense platform high above the surface of the lake, with the poor and
criminal element creating their own society below it in a world they called The Under. Into this world, Grivvin Lo'Rynin is exiled. He is the last of the Wychan, Embremere's high order of wizards who have, over the generations, lost their power. And now he is an outcast.

As fate would have it, a young girl named Lyrica pulls him from the churning waves that night, saving his life and dragging him along on a dangerous adventure facing whirlpools, dragons and the grey-skinned fish-men called the Cuda, who cruelly rule The Under.

Can Grivvin survive in this strange land long enough to unlock the secrets of Wychan magic and seek revenge on the nobles that branded him useless?

What dark secrets lie at the bottom of Lake Embremere?


Tales of Embremere:
Book Two:
Return to Embremere

 Horrific creatures have begun to appear in The Under. Through the careless use of Wychan magic, Grivvin has unknowingly resurrected long dead monsters lying at the bottom of Lake Embremere. It is soon discovered that only magic can destroy them, physical weapons only stopping them temporarily. Even the vicious Cuda are threatened by the rising terror and through the kidnapping of a friend, force Grivvin to set about ridding The Under of this unholy horde.
Can Grivvin and his new friends find a way to destroy these creatures? Is his growing power strong enough? Will Modmargen, God of the Cuda live up to his end of their bargain?
Join a new cast of young characters in the latest installment in the Tales of Embremere series.


Undergrowth
A horror novella

A madness had hung over the Dinbury house for years. After his father commits suicide in front of him and on a public street, Chet sets about trying to unravel the mystery of his father's insanity. What secrets lie hidden in his father's study, full of odd artifacts and books of ancient lore. What is that sickly sound that he hears in the night and why can't his wife hear it? Are the demons of madness now coming for him?








The sequel to Embremere is in the final stages and will soon be release in paperback and for the Kindle. Then, it's on to the third book of In the Shadow of the Black Sun.


Thank you and happy reading,


William

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

You should be reading this book

I've created the fantasy world called Kirkaldin. This realm is divided, from north to south, by an invisible boundary known by the inhabitants as The Edge. Beyond The Edge, to the east, is the land ruled by Mournenhile, the embodiment of ultimate evil and bane of all that is good. He has returned. Throughout the land there are signs, omens that can point only to that very fact. The mutilated body of a young woman is found under Klaemen's Arch, tiny footprints leading away from her corpse, traveling east. The Pith, Mournenhile's horrible creatures, like a cross between bat and wolf, attack Elfwhere where autumn has now fallen. Never before have the trees lost their leaves, never before has an army dared to attack the Elves. Now, the forest burns.
In the city of Harquinn, one of the west's most important strongholds, the mages of Councilcrane send for Hagan Marindel, one of the land's most legendary heroes. It was his blade that turned the tides during The Battle of the Black Sun and sent Mournenhile's forces retreating back into the east twelve years ago. The Stone Troll, Gorin, had been given the task of returning Hagan to the Council, for now that the darkness once again crept across the land, Hagan's sword would be needed again.
Horrible things had happened during The Battle of the Black Sun. Hagan had cut himself off from the world, retreated into the hills and tried to forget the unthinkable things that he had done to protect the peoples of the west. Would he return with Gorin to Harquinn? Would he once again lend his blade to the side of good?

You'll have to read A Dream of Storms to find out. Find out why this book has a 4.7 out of 5 star average rating on Amazon.