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Songs of Autumn

(Songs #1)

Lauren Sevier (Goodreads Author)

4.07 · Rating details · 29 ratings · 20 reviews

What if your entire life you knew the exact day you were going to die?

Liz does.

Magick in the Kingdom of Aegis has almost run out. When that happens, the seasons will stop changing, the tides will cease to turn, and the sun will no longer be able to rise and set. The only way to save the lives of her people is if Liz agrees to be a blood sacrifice in a brutal ceremony th ...more

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Published November 21st 2020 by Lauren Sevier

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Nov 16, 2020 Shannon (It Starts At Midnight) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, november-2020, read-for-review

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

This was such a fun and fast book! I quite enjoyed it, and figured I would do a nice breakdown of what I liked (which was a lot!) and what I didn't (which is really just two things, and one of them is pretty minor). Let's get to it!

The Yays:

I felt for Liz immediately. I mean, talk about no good choices! She basically has to die for her people, in a way that she doesn't even really be ...more

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Nov 19, 2020 Leslie Baker rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I want to start by saying a huge thank you to Lauren Sevier, and Turn the Page Tours for the review copy and letting me be a part of the bookstagram tour.
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Songs of Autumn is about Liz the Princess of Aegis. She was destined to die to save for kingdom. However things don’t go as planned. Liz and her best friend Tia, flee the kingdom and her would be husband the Dragon. The Dragon is a dark sorcerer who seems to care for one thing, power. While flee I want to start by saying a huge thank you to Lauren Sevier, and Turn the Page Tours for the review copy and letting me be a part of the bookstagram tour.
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Songs of Autumn is about Liz the Princess of Aegis. She was destined to die to save for kingdom. However things don’t go as planned. Liz and her best friend Tia, flee the kingdom and her would be husband the Dragon. The Dragon is a dark sorcerer who seems to care for one thing, power. While fleeing into a forbidden wood they meet Maitoch, a would be solider, and his friends. They meet in an unorthodox , yet predictable way. While journeying together they learn what’s worth living and dying for.
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I was captured by the description when I read it , and knew I had to read this book! It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but I wasn’t disappointed. I really enjoyed Liz and Mats character arcs. I thought the plot was interesting, and worth reading. However i also had many issues with Songs of Autumn. Firstly being the pacing. Things happened quickly to the point where it was hard to process what was happening sometimes. I also feel like there were some plot holes, while they weren’t obvious I still had issues. Also I’m not a fan of insta love , at all. Especially when Liz is fleeing for her life and meets a stranger in the woods. While he did save her from the Dragons men , I still feel like she should have been more cautious than she was. They get from point As to Bs with very little journey in between. I would have liked to see more of a journey to certain areas , so we could have seen more of the world. Also there was an attempt at a love triangle , I really didn’t see the need for this other than to have a triangle. I am looking forward to book 2 I really want to know what happens next. Songs of Autumn is Lauren’s debut so I’m hoping book 2 will be improved. I’m also hoping that what Liz saw in her visions doesn’t come to pass , and there is an alternative. ...more

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Dec 21, 2020 Michelle rated it liked it

Shelves: 2020-releases, got-for-review, kindle, review-on-blog

Songs of Autumn is the first book in the young adult fantasy series called, Songs by author Lauren Sevier. The premise of this book was super unique and interesting and I really enjoyed both the plot and the characters. I can’t wait to continue on with this series. Songs of Autumn is set in the realm of Aegis, where there is magic but it is not what it once was. The magic in the realm is dying out, and with it nature and the seasons are starting to get a little whacky. I loved how magic was tied Songs of Autumn is the first book in the young adult fantasy series called, Songs by author Lauren Sevier. The premise of this book was super unique and interesting and I really enjoyed both the plot and the characters. I can’t wait to continue on with this series. Songs of Autumn is set in the realm of Aegis, where there is magic but it is not what it once was. The magic in the realm is dying out, and with it nature and the seasons are starting to get a little whacky. I loved how magic was tied to the seasons and nature of the land. I think that is a really interesting and harmonious way to incorporate the magic system and I loved learning about it. As the seasons start to slow down, the realm turns to an ancient prophecy where they think in order to restore magic to the kingdom and set right the course of nature, they need to make a sacrifice.

This is where our main character, Princess Lisabetta, or Liz to her friends, comes in. Liz is the person that is prophesized to save the kingdom. Only problem is, that means she needs to die in order to do it. Or does it? Liz, not ready to be a willing sacrifice decides to go on a quest to try and learn more about the prophecy to see if there is any way around her having to die to fulfill it, and to see if that is even what the prophecy actually says. The prophecy aspect of the story kind of gave me Order of the Phoenix vibes, which I was digging. Along the way, Liz creates a great cast of friends to tag along with her. I adored Liz and Tia’s friendship. I am always so happy to see a strong friendship represented in a story, and Tia is an absolute delight! She was my favorite character in the whole book!

I will give one warning- the romance present in Songs of Autumn did feel a bit insta-lovey. Not something that bothers me too much, but just be aware if that is not your cup of tea. It might deepen in the future books, but here it was a solid case of Insta-love, with Liz being the unique special girl that finally turned Mat’s eye. I like the romance in Songs of Autumn, but I found myself enjoying the overall main plotline more than the romance aspect of the story, but I am equally interested in both continuing in the next book in the Song series. I can’t wait to see what Lauren Sevier has in store for us next! ...more

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Nov 17, 2020 Jenna Rideout rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-author-requested

I was provided with a complimentary eARC of Songs of Autumn by the author Lauren Sevier through Goddess Fish Promotions in exchange for an honest review as part of my participation in the blog tour for this title. Thank you to Lauren Sevier and Goddess Fish Promotions for the opportunity. This has not swayed my opinion. My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

Songs of Autumn is a YA Fantasy Romance that begins with a young princess facing her very unwanted destiny as a prophesied sacrific I was provided with a complimentary eARC of Songs of Autumn by the author Lauren Sevier through Goddess Fish Promotions in exchange for an honest review as part of my participation in the blog tour for this title. Thank you to Lauren Sevier and Goddess Fish Promotions for the opportunity. This has not swayed my opinion. My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

Songs of Autumn is a YA Fantasy Romance that begins with a young princess facing her very unwanted destiny as a prophesied sacrifice to save her people, and ends with a wizened woman who has learned what true sacrifice is and what things are truly worth fighting for.

This story is told through two points of view: princess to be sacrificed Liz and lowborn aspiring soldier Mat, and I do think the two POVs were handled well. Switches made sense and the narrative voices were quite distinct.

Lauren Sevier’s writing is absolutely beautiful! I’m confident that I would be able to read any prose she puts out, whether I liked the characters and plot or not, just because her writing itself is a pleasure to read. Add in the strong female characters and the vital life lessons this book has to offer and it’s a recipe for success!

I absolutely loved the fact that Liz (our princess destined to die) is strong enough to make the tough choices she has to make to survive, and the adventure that this takes her on was a blast. Not only is she fleeing for her life, but she’s also facing political intrigue she hadn’t even been aware of, and she’s learning that saving herself can and will cost others she cares about dearly. I also loved our main supporting characters, best friend Tia and hero-turned-love interest Mat. They have their flaws for sure, but they have Liz’s best interests at heart as well, and both are so instantly relatable and deserving of the reader’s empathy and affection.

I didn’t love Liz at first, though, and I think it’s because I felt like the setup was too slow, so I was getting bored while she was being broody (which was totally fair, I would be too if I were facing execution.) We spend a good chunk of time in the beginning just sitting in on Liz’s pity party about the upcoming marriage with a dessert of human sacrifice as we’re filled in on all the necessary preliminary info-dumping, and I wasn’t sure how we were supposed to feel about Liz or Tia, but I just wanted to get on with the plot.

The beginning was a bit of a struggle for me, and for that reason I can’t give this book a full 5 stars, but once it got going I really loved it. It’s full of love and loss, personal growth, defiance of birthrights and classism, a captivating fantasy world, wonderful friendships and deep love, and it also has dragons. Dragons are always a welcome bonus! Songs of Autumn is clearly the first book in a series and does leave quite a bit unanswered, but the ending it gives us is satisfying enough, albeit devastating.

The friendship between Liz and Tia is the sort of strong, true girl friendship that I love to see in any book. The lover relationship between Liz and Mat is a bit more of an “insta-love” trope situation, but since this is YA I’ll forgive that.

All in all, this is a brilliant, fast-paced fantasy adventure with a healthy serving of romance and mystery, and I would absolutely recommend this book to all fans of the fantasy genre and YA fiction in general. I’m looking forward to the continuation of this story!

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I read this title for a blog tour! To read the rest of the post and gain easy access to the rest of the tour, visit: https://www.westveilpublishing.com/?p... ...more

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Nov 16, 2020 Kajree Gautom rated it it was ok

This book had immense potential to be a solid fantasy with epic characters. I missed that, sadly. While it started out well, there was a lot of messes in the pacing - it was mostly over the place. The main characters were too cringy for my liking, insta love being a trope that doesn't sit well with me. She was also very whiny and her character wasn't concrete - as in, she was very confusing with her emotions. The problem was that these characters were all very one dimensional without much layers ...more

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Sep 02, 2020 Heather Dewey rated it it was amazing

First, I have to say that I have seen the cover art, even though I read the e-book and not the paperback. The cover art, though, is very beautiful and simple. At the time that I saw it, I felt it was a harbinger of mystery, and possibly of death.

The cover artwork—the outline of a thistle, a drop of what looks like blood falling from it, over a brocade-like pattern—leaves quite a bit to the imagination. The cover art immediately drew my attention when I saw it for the first time, my curiosity piq First, I have to say that I have seen the cover art, even though I read the e-book and not the paperback. The cover art, though, is very beautiful and simple. At the time that I saw it, I felt it was a harbinger of mystery, and possibly of death.

The cover artwork—the outline of a thistle, a drop of what looks like blood falling from it, over a brocade-like pattern—leaves quite a bit to the imagination. The cover art immediately drew my attention when I saw it for the first time, my curiosity piqued.

The story, told from two characters’ points of view, of Princess Lisabetta and Matioch Steele, drew me in with its characters. Lisabetta is, however, essentially the main character, and while she is the princess of her realm, is awaiting her own death. The priestesses in her realm of Aegis believe that an ancient prophecy will be fulfilled, and that “Liz” is the one who will save it from disaster. Magick is dwindling in Aegis, and so nature is not working properly. The prophecy has been interpreted to mean that she must be sacrificed, but she is trying to outwit this prophecy.

I have to say that this was a very interesting premise. The prophecy states many things that could possibly be misinterpreted, and Liz is trying to subvert it, and trying to prove that the ones who say she has to die, have it wrong.

The story in general drew me in, and before long I was immersed in the story. And so many elements of the story immersed me in this world, especially Sevier’s honest descriptions of Liz’s feelings of despair and also of her growing attraction to Matioch. There were also her descriptions of the cities and lands of Aegis, Sevier’s medieval-like world that she has built for this book and subsequent series.

The two central characters of Princess Elisabetta, who wants her close friends to call her “Liz”—and Matioch Steele, also called Mat, a blacksmith who wants a different future for himself—are both looking for clues, Mat to his past and Liz, to her future. Liz wants to know if she has to die to save her kingdom, and Matioch hopes to prove that he is more than his low birth and current station in life.

While the two main characters grow and change in the process of the story, fulfilling a wonderful character arc for them both, there is more, and I again won’t go into much detail here except to say that other characters grow and change over the course of this book as well, including a couple of characters who seem pulled from modern times.

The story concept—a romance mixed together with a fantasy element, lots of action, and a race against time, plus a large cast of well-drawn characters—pits a princess against her fate.
I thought this was a very original concept for a plot, especially that a princess who despite what everyone says is in store for her, is searching for something else, something that seems just beyond her reach, if only she can understand the problem presented to her.

I don’t want to include too many spoilers, so I won’t be very precise here, and go into territory that will spoil the mystery for readers of Sevier’s book.

Suffice it to say that the mystery seems to go on to the next book in the series, and I for one want to continue reading on, to find out what is in store for Liz and Mat.

Five stars to Songs of Autumn!

...more

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Nov 15, 2020 Madhu MaBookYard - rated it it was amazing

"She stood to face it the way she was always meant to. She stood until the snow fell so hard that the world was washed white. Until she realized that this too would be a new beginning."
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🌟🌟🌟🌟.75
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Songs of Autumn follows our main characters : runaway princess, Liz, whose fate has to rewrite her fate if she has to live and a bastrd born knight, Mat, who has to escape his last name and prove his worth. It's filled with prophecies, terrifying Dragons, fated love, lots of 'It's going to happen, but I d "She stood to face it the way she was always meant to. She stood until the snow fell so hard that the world was washed white. Until she realized that this too would be a new beginning."
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🌟🌟🌟🌟.75
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Songs of Autumn follows our main characters : runaway princess, Liz, whose fate has to rewrite her fate if she has to live and a bastrd born knight, Mat, who has to escape his last name and prove his worth. It's filled with prophecies, terrifying Dragons, fated love, lots of 'It's going to happen, but I don't want it to' moments and amazing writing.
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First, I absolutely loved the Characters introduced to us from the beginning. Unrelenting Tia who didn't take any shit even when she felt out of place, the compassionate mother who stops at nothing yo save her daughter, brooding Gareth who has an air of mystery around him which intrigued me to no end, playful Finn who was a Little brother Mat never had, and just the whole gang was amazing. Their jovial banter, their support for one another to the point they were willing to die. It just, OMG my heart.
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Second, I loved the world, the writing and the Characters and the high stakes we had and all the nerve wrecking moments. From the beginning we get that sense of foreboding that something was going to go wrong, and we knew what it was, but it still managed to make me emotional and surprised me. That was what I loved about the book. The writing was so lucid, I read the whole book in a single sitting. (No regrets by the way) The prophesy, the visions and the dream walk gave the magical vibes this world needed and added depth to the story as well.
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Coming to the storyline and character development, I think Liz and Mat both grew up in different ways that could fulfill their respective roles, and how they came together complimented them. I loved the chemistry between them even though the romance kinda felt a little rushed, it still felt good to read about them. I wouldn't say it was doomed because I want them to be happy, but it kinda was, and I don't know how to feel about that anymore. I also loved how Gareth's character was portrayed. I'm suspecting a few things will happen in the next book, but I don't want to jinx anything. Even now, I wonder what the name of the book refers to, as the book is set during the onset of winter with dragons and magick. Though we don't get to see a lot of the Dragon, the dreamwalk scenes were one of my favorites! And not to mention Liz's vision. And that ending. I am crushed. I knew it would happen, but it doesn't make the ending any easier to read. The only teeny tiny thing I didn't like was the point where the book ended. If ut had ended a few paragraphs before, it would have been perfect. But mind you, this book has a HUGE ASS CLIFFHANGER that will make you scream. I did. I cany wait for the next book in the series to come out because I want to know what happens during the war and the ring and the vision and Gareth and Liz. Omg so many unanswered questions.
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Overall, I think I have found one more book series to add to my all time favourites. It had everything I loved. Sassy Characters, amazing writing style, very good Characters development, heart wrenching moments, magical touch to the fantasy setting, and so much more. If you haven't heard of this book, THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE? Go read this book and cry with me later !
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Thank you so much Turn the Pages Tour for the advanced copy, which lets me give you my unbiased opinion.
Kindle/ Arc / November 2020 ...more

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Nov 16, 2020 Alexia rated it really liked it

Songs of Autumn is a really good debut novel that YA fantasy lovers will easily enjoy. One of the things I liked best about this book was the importance characters placed on choice. Many of them had been bound to circumstance in the past, so they gave each other room to make decisions even if they didn’t approve of them. It was one of the biggest elements of growth you could see in the characters because in certain moments it meant even letting someone choose death. It did feel like there was ...more

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Dec 01, 2020 Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) rated it really liked it

I have always been a fan of fantasy based stories of adventure, from the first time I read David Eddings. Of course, this is a slightly different genre, but it has that foundation of a person going on the run to save everyone and herself, by initially saving no one. It is brilliant.

I liked the fast-paced nature of the story, blended with the undertones of finding yourself. It was detailed, and allowed you to really become part of the story as she understood what she wanted, but also ordered alo ...more

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Jun 22, 2020 BurritoChris rated it really liked it

A very sweet fantasy novel. It's very contemplative and spends a lot of its time worrying and wondering over how our hero is going to avoid her certain fate. Liz's journey isn't just one of falling in love and finding a way to make it work when the world is collapsing around her, it's one of growing up. The constant angst and sadness is very reminiscent of how it actually feels to be a teenager (as far as I remember anyway) and it raises some interesting questions. What does it mean to be queen ...more

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Mar 17, 2020 Meagen West rated it it was amazing

Lauren Sevier is one of the most talented fiction writers I've ever read! Songs of Autumn is beautifully written, immersive and unique. Instead of learning a new world, new characters and all the laws of the land, you live them. It's not a book you read...it's a whole new life that you live vicariously through the amazing, in depth characters Lauren has breathed life into. It's an experience that's hard to explain...you have to live it.

Follow along Liz's journey and experience her life as if it ...more

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Nov 09, 2020 The Litt Librarian rated it liked it

It's interesting to learn that the basis of Songs of Autumn derived from real-life experiences from the author Lauren Sevier. I would have never guessed that this story's inspiration came from her newborn son's parenting journey. Sevier stated that her son was born from a frozen 5-day old embryo, which doctors had to thaw out. As a running joke, her son hates the cold, thus creating the wintery theme of her very first book, Songs of Autumn.

The biggest mystery to me was the disconnect throughout ...more

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Jul 15, 2020 Micah Brown rated it it was amazing

First of all, let me say that I don't read much fantasy these days. It's been literal decades since the last time I read anything that wasn't by Tolkien.

That said, I LOVED this book. I knew that writing would be amazing, but the story was well thought out, and well paced. I fell in love with each of the characters I was supposed to love, and hated the characters I was supposed to hate. While we may have all read the story of the princess who needs to be rescued, we haven't all read the story of ...more

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Jun 28, 2020 Paige Scott rated it it was amazing

This is my first ARC and hopefully not my last from Lauren and the SOA series because I NEED to know what happens next.

Lauren takes you into the fantasy world so effortlessly you can’t help but wonder if she was Liz in another life it comes so freely to her.

This book was a constant page turner and had me on the edge of my seat at various times while making me tear up at others (although I’m a major cryer so that perhaps does not count).

Everyone character is described so elegantly and to a T t ...more

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Nov 20, 2020 Leann added it

I’ve been reading more YA Fantasy recently - I think it’s because I want some escape from 2020 and there’s nothing like escaping into a completely fantastical world and carried along on a magical journey.

They description of Songs of Autumn caught my attention immediately:

“What if your entire life you knew the exact day you were going to die? Liz does.”

First - wow. So many bucket list items I’d want to check off the list. Second, tell me more!

Liz is the “Red Princess” who the prophecies told wou ...more

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Oct 04, 2020 A. rated it it was amazing

Songs of Autumn is a fast paced, rich YA Fantasy story full of intriguing characters and impending elements of doom. From the onset, we learn the main character has been raised to die at a specific moment in time. Only, she hasn't resigned herself to her fate. The world of Aegis is rich--in colors, in people, and in terrains. The characters of the story are intriguing, especially Gareth, a mysterious soldier who aids Liz in her flight north to escape her prophecized death. This is one book that ...more

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Oct 27, 2020 Susan Farris rated it it was amazing

*spoiler free* Lauren was wonderful and sent me an ARC to review. Songs of Autumn kept me flipping pages until the end. And what a cliffhanger! I loved all the characters and have to declare Matt my favorite. While I did find the constant angst and crying a little grating, on reflection afterwards, I think it works given how melodramatic most teens are and the events of the story. Plus, the plot moves quickly and more than makes up for it with relatable characters and fast action. There are seve ...more

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Dec 07, 2020 Meaghan Hurn rated it liked it

Songs of Autumn is full intriguing characters and impending elements of doom. It's even more interesting to learn that the basis of Songs of Autumn derived from real-life experiences from the author Lauren Sevier.

One of the things I liked best about this book was the importance characters placed on choice. Many of them had been bound to circumstance in the past, so they gave each other room to make decisions even if they didn’t approve of them.

Songs of Autumn is a good read for those who really ...more

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Jun 12, 2020 BooksCoffee rated it it was amazing

Sevier’s highly-readable, stunning series opener follows a young princess’s journey to self-discovery.

Hours after Lisbet, princess of Aegis, was born, her fate as a blood sacrifice to the Dragon was sealed. But her own visions tells her a different story. Determined to unravel the truth, Liz escapes the blood moon ceremony and embarks on a journey of self-discovery while trying to save the kingdom.

Intricate storyline, high stakes, and a layered narrative captivate, and the delicious romance an ...more

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Jul 30, 2020 Lauren Sevier rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

This book was born from a the mind of a sleep deprived new mother. That may not be very glamorous, but it's true. After an eight-year battle with infertility and IVF, my husband and I were blessed with my son. During late night feedings I started really thinking about the world he was going to inherit and the example I wanted to set for him. The basis for this series was born out of the desire to leave something worthwhile for him.

My son was frozen as a 5 day old embryo for over six months befo This book was born from a the mind of a sleep deprived new mother. That may not be very glamorous, but it's true. After an eight-year battle with infertility and IVF, my husband and I were blessed with my son. During late night feedings I started really thinking about the world he was going to inherit and the example I wanted to set for him. The basis for this series was born out of the desire to leave something worthwhile for him.

My son was frozen as a 5 day old embryo for over six months before the doctors thawed him and miraculously he was transferred into my care until he was born. There are themes of climate change, and the impending threat of winter woven throughout this first novel and the series as a whole. Those themes were directly inspired by his incredible journey. As a newborn he hated being cold and my husband and I gently joked that he remembered being frozen and never wanted to be chilly like that again. So that became the basis for a very real threat in the world of Aegis.

It was also really important to me to portray a diverse cast of characters, because I want the world my son inherits to be a world of equality. I want him to know that loving people for who they are, not who they identify as, look like, or love, is normal and should be the standard. I want him to know that he is loved and cherished for exactly who he is and that true love has no conditions.

Mostly, I wanted him to see me pursuing my passions and striving for something most people told me would be impossible. I wanted to set an example for him. That if you work hard, you can achieve your dreams. And that he should never stop chasing his.

I hope that this book inspires, encourages, and entertains readers. I hope that the care and effort I put into these pages is seen and felt. I know it won't be universally liked by everyone, and that's okay. I wrote this book for the broken girl who felt like life was against her, that found hope when she least expected it, and in the most unlikely of places. I wrote this book and planned this series to prove that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. And if I can do all that, you, dear readers, can do anything. ...more

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