Title: The Rogue King
Series: The Rogue King Saga # 1
Author: Aldrea Alien
Published: April 22nd, 2014
Word Count: 65,000
Genre: Fantasy
Content Warning: Violence, Sex
Recommended Age: 16+
Synopsis:
Outside is dangerous.
Such is the warning Koral has heard for twelve years. Born a product of genetic manipulation, he knows little else of the world beyond the steel walls of his home.
When fate gives him the choice between certain death and the unknown, there’s no question in what he must choose. But he’s about to find out the sands he must brave are full of more than mere monsters.
Providing the desert doesn’t kill him first.
This is a world ruled by instinct, where innocence is drowned in blood. Here, men are offered up to the great Serpent God, Lorric, only to emerge as the most feared killers on the planet: The Rogues.
With the god’s sights set on turning Koral into a legend, he must sacrifice himself to survive and be reborn as… The Rogue King
Excerpt:
Shirain lifted her arms out towards the giant statue, the sound of her bracelets clacking together echoed across the ruins. ʺBehold our offering, Mighty Lord! Take his body as your own! Use him! Guide him in your ways so he may live to make you stronger!ʺ
The bowl slipped from his unfeeling hands to splash into the pond. Above, the statue's eyes glowed a deep red. Behind him, Koral heard Shirain continue talking, her voice faint and muffled. His blood grew hot, desire filling his body and fogging his mind. What had she done to him?
ʺYour gift is pleasing, dear child.ʺ The words tumbled out of a mouth Koral could no longer control. ʺThis body is young. Barely a man.ʺ Someone else flexed his muscles. His lips twisted into a cruel grin as his tongue ran over his sharp teeth. ʺHe will need much training.ʺ
ʺMy Lord,ʺ Shirain purred, giving him a low bow. ʺOnce more, you honour me.ʺ
Awareness of another's presence came crashing down on him, bringing with it an odd calmness. He knew little of magic or religion. Amelia's teaching on the subject had been sparse; most of what he had learnt came from the camp and no one had mentioned possession. Would he win if he tried to banish the intruder? Was this not his body?
A rough laugh escaped his throat as he unwillingly turned from the statue and waded through the blood to dry land. ʺHe fights me.ʺ
ʺHe showed promise as a fighter,ʺ Shirain said, sounding strangely proud. ʺI hope he pleases my Lord and proves more interesting to break than the others.ʺ
ʺYes, this will be… enjoyable.ʺ Again, his lips pulled back into something that resembled a smile in name only. ʺBy the time I've finished with him, everyone shall fear the very name of him—the name of Vengeance.ʺ
About the Author:
Born and raised in New Zealand, Aldrea Alien lives on a small farm with her family, including a menagerie of animals. Since discovering a love of writing at the age of twelve, she hasn’t found an ounce of peace from the characters plaguing her mind.
Guest Post Topic for The Rogue King:
Was there anything that surprised you while writing your book? If so, what was it?
I don't think anything surprised me majorly about this book in particular, but more of the series as a whole. With that, I am a little shocked as to how dark the plot became and how willing I've become in dragging my characters through hell.
It's not like the story was ever sunshine and rainbows to begin with — I make no secret that most of this story was conceived at a young age, but even as a preteen, I knew there were some topics one couldn't make light of — yet as I grew older, the story got darker, especially when it comes to two of the three Main Characters. But all that happens further into the saga.
The final thing that surprised me during the editing process — I consider myself to have been editing for years — was the size the story became during the last rewrite. Originally, the whole saga was one book that refused to stay at a respectable word count. When I made the ultimate decision to publish it as more than one novel, the story only continued to expand.
One might say that, now I wasn't obsessing on keeping it small, my subconscious felt free to fill in the gaps. I spent months weaving through the timeline, checking things over and over to make sure it read right before I considered seeking an editor. Even then, it didn't stop. It still hasn't stopped. The book two in the saga promises to be bigger because of this and I'm still working furiously on the final book.
Getting the book published caused the biggest surprises. See, the closer I came to pushing that big ol' "publish" button, the more barriers I came across. Power cuts, cars breaking down and, recently, my internet dying. It may not be the average disturbances, but it's done wonders for strengthening my determination.
Giveaway Details:
There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:• 2 Signed print copies of The Rogue King, 4 bookmarks, $10 Amazon GCGiveaway is International.
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