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Wyrd Blood
Author Donna Augustine
Narrated by Nicole Poole
Publication date Nov 6, 2018
Running time 6 hrs 15 min
Purchase from Tantor Media
Overview:
Sometimes I wonder what life was like before magic burst into existence, before the Magical War of 810 destroyed our world. What it was like before there were Wyrd Blood, or we were forced into hiding.
And that's what I've been doing for years, hiding me and my crew. But that's about to end. My crew is starving and things are getting dire. When I get desperate enough to try and steal from Ryker, one of the toughest men in these parts, things go bad and my Wyrd Blood origins are outed.But it's not all bad. Ryker can help keep me alive from the mysterious illness that's been plaguing me. He can also feed my crew. The only thing I have to do in return is start another war.
Contains mature themes.
Donna is offering a winner's choice of either audio or e-copy
Wryd Blood Open Internationally
Please Use Rafflecopter form to enter
Good Luck!
Read an excerpt:
Prologue
Brief History of the World
In 1620 BC (Before the Change), magic sprang into existence. No one knew why or how this occurred, as there had never been magic in the world before. Some speculated that it was because of the dual eclipse of the moons. Others said it was because the planet shifted on its axis. But no one had any logical theories on why some people were gifted with magic, and others were not. Or why magic would skip several generations. The only thing that was brutally obvious to all was that magic was power and this was the beginning of a new world.
By 391 AC (After the Change), people gifted with magic had taken control of every country in the land. The power structure had shifted and righted itself to this magical reign and a new normal had taken shape. The Wyrd Blood, as those with magic in their veins were sometimes called, were hoarded as commodities by their stronger brethren. They were kept in gilded cages, bred for more magic, more power.
But even as people found their footing in this new world, no one realized what world they'd be soon living in once the Magical War of 810 began. Because those with the thirst for power are seldom satisfied until they have it all.
Chapter One
910 AC
Ryker stood leaning beside the open door, his face silhouetted by the full moon shining behind him. I didn't need to see his eyes to feel the burn of their stare. The same night breeze that ruffled his dark hair caressed my skin, taunting me with a hint of freedom. It was a stark contrast to the cold stone wall at my back, as I sat in the windowless room.
The world unfolded ten feet away, yet I didn't have any hope of reaching it because of one wrong decision. Wasn't that the way of it, though? A single misstep and everything crumbled around you. Safety, permanency, they were the grand illusions we all tried to partake in. Eventually, though, the truth would shine its harsh light on our endless vulnerabilities. That was when the true survivors stood, while the weak crawled into the shadows.
I wouldn't be among the weak. I forced the fear down, into a dark pit within, as I had so many times before in my life. The regrets were harder to swallow back, but I did, knowing he was searching for weakness. I wouldn't give this man a crumb. He already had too much power, and I wouldn't take part in any illusion of my defeat. I wasn't finished yet, not by a magic mile.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his white shirt pulled tight over broad shoulders as he made himself more comfortable. I sat stiff as a board, afraid to reveal anything while we sized each other up in the darkened silence.
"How many days are you going to sit here?" He raised his hand, mocking me as he made a show of counting his fingers. "Going to need the second hand soon."
I didn't laugh at his crude joke. Didn't scowl, either. I'd figure a way out of this mess, and then we'd see who was gloating.
He didn't like me. I didn't like him either, so at least in that, we were on an even playing field.
His hand dropped. "You must realize this is a waste of time."
His tone was that of a person who thought they had all the control. I said nothing, as I had for the last four nights he'd come, my insides charring from restrained anger.
He turned his head, his hawkish profile partially revealed in moonlight. He smiled, and it added a chill to the already cold room.
"What if I tire of this game and kill you? Aren't you afraid to die?"
I was already dying. Probably that much quicker, too, in this hole. I quickly blocked the thought as his magic reached out. I tried my best to keep up my defenses as his magic swirled in the air and filled the room, testing me, surrounding me, trying to find my weaknesses as it attempted to lure me into letting down my defenses.
He might beat me eventually. He was strong, stronger than anyone I'd ever met. But if this was my time to cross the Styx into the forever night, I was going with a fight.
I'd die here if need be. That was the craziest part of knowing you were dying. It trimmed off all the should-haves and cut you right down to your essence. It was a gift of freedom, cursed with a lack of time. It made you think back to everything you'd done, every decision, every word, and see it in that harsh light. Some actions shone and some cast a dark shadow on your timeline.
He crossed his arms in front of him, his forearms rippling. "You're going to give me what I want."
I shrugged, a silent Think whatever you want. Time will tell.
I tilted my head back, looking at the ceiling. "Are we finished for tonight?"
He let out a short laugh that, unlike the smile, sounded genuine. "I'll leave you to your amusements until tomorrow."
He walked out and shut the door to the empty room while I shined that harsh light back over the last week of my life, and the regrets flooded back to the surface.
Brief History of the World
In 1620 BC (Before the Change), magic sprang into existence. No one knew why or how this occurred, as there had never been magic in the world before. Some speculated that it was because of the dual eclipse of the moons. Others said it was because the planet shifted on its axis. But no one had any logical theories on why some people were gifted with magic, and others were not. Or why magic would skip several generations. The only thing that was brutally obvious to all was that magic was power and this was the beginning of a new world.
By 391 AC (After the Change), people gifted with magic had taken control of every country in the land. The power structure had shifted and righted itself to this magical reign and a new normal had taken shape. The Wyrd Blood, as those with magic in their veins were sometimes called, were hoarded as commodities by their stronger brethren. They were kept in gilded cages, bred for more magic, more power.
But even as people found their footing in this new world, no one realized what world they'd be soon living in once the Magical War of 810 began. Because those with the thirst for power are seldom satisfied until they have it all.
Chapter One
910 AC
Ryker stood leaning beside the open door, his face silhouetted by the full moon shining behind him. I didn't need to see his eyes to feel the burn of their stare. The same night breeze that ruffled his dark hair caressed my skin, taunting me with a hint of freedom. It was a stark contrast to the cold stone wall at my back, as I sat in the windowless room.
The world unfolded ten feet away, yet I didn't have any hope of reaching it because of one wrong decision. Wasn't that the way of it, though? A single misstep and everything crumbled around you. Safety, permanency, they were the grand illusions we all tried to partake in. Eventually, though, the truth would shine its harsh light on our endless vulnerabilities. That was when the true survivors stood, while the weak crawled into the shadows.
I wouldn't be among the weak. I forced the fear down, into a dark pit within, as I had so many times before in my life. The regrets were harder to swallow back, but I did, knowing he was searching for weakness. I wouldn't give this man a crumb. He already had too much power, and I wouldn't take part in any illusion of my defeat. I wasn't finished yet, not by a magic mile.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his white shirt pulled tight over broad shoulders as he made himself more comfortable. I sat stiff as a board, afraid to reveal anything while we sized each other up in the darkened silence.
"How many days are you going to sit here?" He raised his hand, mocking me as he made a show of counting his fingers. "Going to need the second hand soon."
I didn't laugh at his crude joke. Didn't scowl, either. I'd figure a way out of this mess, and then we'd see who was gloating.
He didn't like me. I didn't like him either, so at least in that, we were on an even playing field.
His hand dropped. "You must realize this is a waste of time."
His tone was that of a person who thought they had all the control. I said nothing, as I had for the last four nights he'd come, my insides charring from restrained anger.
He turned his head, his hawkish profile partially revealed in moonlight. He smiled, and it added a chill to the already cold room.
"What if I tire of this game and kill you? Aren't you afraid to die?"
I was already dying. Probably that much quicker, too, in this hole. I quickly blocked the thought as his magic reached out. I tried my best to keep up my defenses as his magic swirled in the air and filled the room, testing me, surrounding me, trying to find my weaknesses as it attempted to lure me into letting down my defenses.
He might beat me eventually. He was strong, stronger than anyone I'd ever met. But if this was my time to cross the Styx into the forever night, I was going with a fight.
I'd die here if need be. That was the craziest part of knowing you were dying. It trimmed off all the should-haves and cut you right down to your essence. It was a gift of freedom, cursed with a lack of time. It made you think back to everything you'd done, every decision, every word, and see it in that harsh light. Some actions shone and some cast a dark shadow on your timeline.
He crossed his arms in front of him, his forearms rippling. "You're going to give me what I want."
I shrugged, a silent Think whatever you want. Time will tell.
I tilted my head back, looking at the ceiling. "Are we finished for tonight?"
He let out a short laugh that, unlike the smile, sounded genuine. "I'll leave you to your amusements until tomorrow."
He walked out and shut the door to the empty room while I shined that harsh light back over the last week of my life, and the regrets flooded back to the surface.
My audio review:
Tantor Media
production
Narrated by Nicole Poole
6 hrs – 15 mins
Narrated by Nicole Poole
6 hrs – 15 mins
Nicole Poole’s narration of Wyrd Blood is fabulous. She handles both
male and female voices plus interpreting the emotions of the characters to
perfection while keeping the story moving at a great pace. But it’s definitely
her portrayal of Bugs that stands out, going above and beyond showing Bugs’
strength and her vulnerabilities, her compassion and her stubbornness and doing
it with an eloquent yet straightforward and expressive style that will keep the
audience’s rapt attention and waiting for book two with bated breath.
My full review:
Wyrd Blood Book 1
Donna Augustine
Donna Augustine
Augustine’s first in a new series is a melding of sorts of NA- Urban
Fantasy and post apocalyptic fiction set in a world almost a thousand years
after the demise of civilization. Her attention to detail in her inventive
world building gives readers a clear visual of her fantastic people, places and
things. Her main protagonists are a fabulous pair, there’s Bugs a mix of
wisdom, innocence and common sense and Ryker an enigma whose quiet strength
makes him the perfect leader. Her other players are all interesting and the
storyline is action packed and engaging and will leave her audience salivating
for book two. Well done!
SUMMARY:
It’s 910 AC-After the change when magic was unleashed on an unsuspecting world and forever changed it and not for the better.
It’s 910 AC-After the change when magic was unleashed on an unsuspecting world and forever changed it and not for the better.
Bugs has relied on her Wyrd Blood, (magic) to keep her one
step ahead of her enemies and to keep her and her small crew alive and fed in
the crumbling Ruined City. But lately something’s wrong, she’s off her game
struck low by a strange illness and that’s the only reason she found herself
trapped by her enemy. And the only reason she’s alive to tell about it is that
he wants something from her.
Ryker, lord of the country of Valley has need of someone
with strong magic, someone he can use to get through the wards of a neighboring
country. Someone who’s disposable, luckily the culprit just got herself snagged
in one of his traps. Unlucky for him, he might have just met his match.
Book 2
About the author:
Donna Augustine’s lifelong ambition was to become the crazy cat lady. Unfortunately, when family allergies cut short her dream of living in a house full of furries, she turned her ambitions toward writing. Combining her love of fantasy, scifi, horror and romance, she tries to string together interesting twists on urban fantasy.A native of New Jersey, when she isn’t writing or over dosing on caffeine, she can occasionally be spotted in disguise at the local dog park.
Nicole Poole is a classically trained actor with equal passions for literature and improvisation. She has toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company, has been a member of the critically acclaimed Walter Thompson Orchestra for over fifteen years, and recently became a member of the Parisian groups SPOUMJ and Anitya. She is honored to have been recognized for her narration by an AudioFile Earphones Award, a Publisher's WeeklyListen-Up Award, and nomination for an Audie Award.
I recently listened to a few books by this narrator and I really like her narration, so that makes me curious about this book. The premise sounds great too! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHi Lola this was my first by the narrator and I really liked her
DeleteThanks for the giveaway and review, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteNicole Poole is an amazing narrator. I'm so happy she was willing to do Wyrd Blood.
Thank you for the giveaway Donna and yes Nicole was really good and perfect for Bugs
DeleteI hadn't heard of this one so thanks for petting it on my radar.
ReplyDeleteyou're welcome Mary
DeleteYay I can enter!
ReplyDeleteI like N Poole. I have listened to her before and she does voices well
Yay is right. I like her too Blodeuedd and this was my first experience with her.
DeleteSounds like a good urban fantasy. And what a gorgeous cover.
ReplyDeleteit is Kathryn
DeleteThis sounds really good and I love Nichole Poole. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Thanks for stopping by Melanie this was my first Nicole and I really liked her.
DeleteIntriguing cover and a nice review. Thanks for sharing and the chance!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mikhil :)
DeleteI love a good audio book and a good story. Thanks
ReplyDeletemy pleasure
DeleteYeah this series has really pretty covers
ReplyDeleteIt's so awesome to find an author like that who just checks off all your happy reading boxes :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree :)
Delete