Just Kidding! Pre-Order up Now!

12/24/2014

Every once in a while, Amazon tells you that they won't do something, and then they do it anyway.

But hey, they've unexpectedly put my two Elder Empire books up for pre-order! If I had known it would happen, I would have announced it, but I didn't! It's a Christmas miracle!

Of Sea and Shadow!

Of Shadow and Sea!

And then here's the content of the blog post I was GOING to give you today: the final version of the Sea cover, which just came back from the graphic design hospital! Enjoy!

13 Comments

patrick foster

12/24/2014 03:23:35 am

Spiffy. Looking forward t the books—

joshua

12/25/2014 09:56:55 am

So how do you suggest we read the books? one after another or a chapter a piece? seriously, what do you feel would be the most effective way to experience these books?

Will Wight link

12/25/2014 03:09:21 pm

It's a good question, and I'll give you the best answer I can.

I organized the books to be read one after another. They're paced differently, so they don't quite sync up chapter-for-chapter, and some of the multi-POV fight scenes that have reflections in each book would drag on for far too long if you read both versions at the same time.

Also, when I was writing the books, I finished Sea first. So all of my beta readers read Sea, then Shadow. I intend for them to be read in either order--and in some ways, I think Shadow came out better--but my feedback only comes from people who read Sea first. It could be that Shadow makes for a better first book, but I don't know.

The personal narrative of Shadow's protagonist is more compelling, so it will probably draw you along through the story better. But Sea's protagonist is a Reader, so his story gives you a better perspective of the magic system.

Take that as you will.

TL;DR - I don't know, because all my beta readers (and me) read Sea first. But I meant the two books to be read one after another, in either order.

Devin

12/27/2014 04:54:02 am

As a beta reader, and having read both books, I still feel reading sea first is the best route. However, I would love to hear what people who read shadow first think. I think I'm a bit biased now towards the sea characters, having read it first. It will be interesting to see who likes who more, and if the reading order impacted that down the road.

Joshua

12/30/2014 11:42:25 am

I'll be sure and let you know my opinion on reading shadow first no time to talk reading now

TJ Han

1/17/2015 12:21:06 am

I read Shadow first. I didn't realise for the longest time that Calder was the other main character, so it was shocking when I put the pieces together, during his arrival on Gray Island.

I think Calder is a bit more generic of a MC than Shera, but I like them both. I didn't feel sad at all when the XXX (spoilers) was killed by Shera, but when I read the Sea book I was hit by the feels.

Elder III

12/26/2014 03:01:08 pm

Good news to end the year on a good note. Thanks for the Christmas present!

$7.98 should be arriving at your door via carrier pigeon within the month.

Will Wight link

12/29/2014 01:29:27 am

No, it should be only $5.98. A carrier pigeon gives me two dollars worth of meat, so I take that off the price.

Yosef

12/26/2014 10:26:33 pm

Just so you know only Of Sea and Shadow is available for pre-order on amazon.co.uk

Will Wight link

12/29/2014 01:29:53 am

Amazon's ways are nonsensical and strange, but it should be fixed now.

Shantanu

12/28/2014 03:41:56 pm

Thanks for the timely release =) I'll need something fun to read on the long flight home.

Will Wight link

12/29/2014 01:30:21 am

That's why I released on the thirtieth, Shantanu: so that your plane ride would be slightly less boring.

joshua

1/2/2015 06:51:04 am

Well shit... (whale shit) I have to be honest here, i don't see how Shera can be anything but the protagonist in this series. I just finished shadow, and Calder just seems like a dick. he seems foolish and inept. I expect that to change after i read sea of course, but currently, I could care less about his intentions, back story, worries, woes, weakness, or purpose in life. Shera for the win!!

Also, another note, not being able to see Ayana fight made me sad!! FIX IT!!!! :D

In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.