Dark, Epic Fantasy Turned Love Story...?

As I tacked on another 5,000 words to Black Mirrors of the Soul this weekend, wrapping up chapter 52 and 53 of a 57 chapter book, I really started asking myself if A Throne of Souls was a love story? Black Mirrors of the Soul was intended to deliver enough of the back-story of Damon for you to see, feel, and understand how and why he became the Damon we all know in the present day—the one creating and driving the master plan to thwart the fate of A Throne of Souls that he brought into existence in the first place. Somewhere along the way, in the intensity of the illustration his relationship with Dallia, I don't know if I lost myself or if the story just consumed me, but it became a profound love story and one that will be both a compelling and gut-wrenching read. If you're still in touch with your humanity, this will tug at you in ways you haven't felt in a very long time—if ever. It wasn't my intention to do that with this book, but it turned out that way nonetheless.

If you read book 1, you all know what happened to Dallia, so why bother going into all this detail about her...? Because, her impact on Damon lingers to this day. They each became part of the other and that doesn't go away so easily. She can still be felt in some of his most critical decision-making moments, and in his rare moments of peace. As Christopher Ford said, "Damon is so complex and so layered, I've never read a character like him before." Dallia is a big reason for those layers that exist. And, I had to cover that ground between them so you could see some of that transformation take place and feel the justification for it.

As a man, I don't know if I'm comfortable with the idea of A Throne of Souls becoming a love story, but when I think about all the compelling events (inputs and outputs), I'm left with the solemn conclusion that it might just very well be that. It's far more than a love story, of course, but I have to come to the realization that a big part of this story is a love story. Between more than just Damon and Dallia, but I'll leave that for you to read and figure out on your own.

Here is Christopher Ford's review of A Kingdom Forgotten (Book 1 of A Throne of Souls): goo.gl/IgCMCi

I'll also leave you with the latest draft of the cover for Black Mirrors of the Soul (Book 2 of A Throne of Souls):