The Last Days of Tian Di, in 3 sonnets

Dear Blog,

Last week I went to the OLA Superconference in Toronto, which was fun and fascinating. I was taking part in the CANSCAIP book launch, and because I have no idea how to pitch my books, I tried to sum them up in sonnet form. I know how you love a sonnet, blog, so here they are:

Book 1: Shade & Sorceress

You see them coming from the sky – these things

Shining above the clouds – how could you know

That you are seeing, in the morning glow,

Your childhood’s end descend on golden wings.

Here’s what you know: You are not what they say

This destiny does not belong to you

Here’s what you’ll learn: when you’ve got things to do

Not even destiny can bar your way.

The secrets peel away and leave behind

A sliver of the bare and shivering truth

You cross two worlds armed with a dragon’s tooth

Into the realm your awful foe designed.

So what are you? Whatever else, it’s plain

That you will never be a child again.

 

Book 2: The Unmaking

You think by now you have it figured out:

Whom you can trust and who is on your side,

The good and evil thing, the sharp divide

Between your separate selves. You cast about

For help in learning both roles: how to be

The Sorceress you think the world needs

And how to be a girl. Though each impedes

The other, you still think you can be free.

Then she comes back like a storm and in her wake

She leaves a ruin of all you thought was true

Her swift revenge, her monstrous will – this you

Must comprehend in order to unmake.

You’ll find that as both girl and Sorceress

You’re more than what you thought, and also less

 

Book 3: Fog, Bone, Ash & Star (to be published September 2014 – this is a sonnet-preview!)

In the bright palm of the deluder’s hand

You watch the world end, you watch them die

And time rolls on without you. In this lie

You dwell a while, until you understand:

You may not be the hero after all

Your heart may not be right, but it is true

You can’t unchoose your choices, can’t undo

The things you’ve done for love, while duty’s call

You barely heard. Now this: your ruinous quest

will shake the worlds and lead you back to her,

your dearest foe. And as the Ancients stir

you’ll find the truth, and face your final test.

Chasing the awful drumbeat of your heart

Your dearest wish may tear the worlds apart.

 

Yours, in iambic pentameter,

Catherine