UPRISING and balance
On the dedication page of Uprising (released today!), you’ll find a quote from Lanaril Satran, the Lead Templar of Blacksun Temple.
Being a templar, Lanaril is of course speaking on several levels. “The body” can refer to an individual, a couple, a community—or an entire culture.
Uprising has many themes running through its epic length. It looks at the way tribal thinking narrows one’s vision, the tendency of anger to rebound on the one wielding it, the power of collective action, and how the weight of injustice becomes its own enforcement.
But most of all, Uprising speaks to the importance of balancing head and heart. Good governance is not just practical decision-making; it must also take into account the emotional well-being of constituents. Good intentions driven by emotion are not enough by themselves; they must take into account the ramifications of a decision.
Andira Tal has been the leader Alsea needed through alien invasion and galactic relations, cultural upheaval, and a coup against the democratic foundations of the unified government. She is a savvy strategist who plans several moves ahead. Yet that same cool, practical thinking limits her as well.
Salomen Opah never wanted to be in politics. She is tied to the land, passionate in defense of her family and caste, and prone to speaking and acting without thinking first. She shares with Tal a strong sense of duty and a willingness to fight for what is right, but her fight comes from belief, not strategy.
They are head and heart. In Uprising, they are both right—and both wrong. The path they take to find a balance will change Alsea forever.
Uprising is available in paperback on Amazon and e-book everywhere. This portal will lead you to whichever version and store is your preference: Nook, Kobo, Amazon, Apple, etc.
May you have a peaceful Easter weekend, with a gloriously epic book to dive into and a good supply of high-quality snacks. And may you find your own balance.
