I’m delighted to announce that Mantivore Prey, the sequel to Mantivore Dreams, has now been published and is available at Amazon as an ebook and a KU read. This book charts the ongoing adventures of Kyrillia, her husband Seth and Vrox, the grumpy old alien she is telepathically linked to, now that she has been sworn in as ruler of Arcadia.
BLURB: Being in charge isn’t what it’s cracked up to be…
Living in a palace and being waited on hand and foot sounds like a dream come true. But Kyrillia is finding it a nightmare. Homesick and ailing, she’s no match for a grumpy mantivore, who is increasingly out of control.
And then devastating news from home changes everything…
Below is the opening passage:
CHAPTER ONE
I opened my mouth, but as anger and grief sliced through the muffling exhaustion enfolding me, nothing came out. Why do I care so much? I hated her.
“Kyrillia – are you shady?” asked Felina, before slapping her hand to her forehead. “What am I babbling about? Course not. Where’s Seth? Or those advisors always wafting around you like a bad smell?” She craned her neck to look past me.
I licked my lips with a sand-dry tongue. “Seth’s in a meeting.” He’s always in meetings, these days. When did I stop minding about that?
“Well haul him out’ve it. He’s been through this, so he’ll know how to help you.”
Recalling his concerned frown whenever his gaze fell upon me these days, I shivered, pulling my vari-coloured robes around me.
“You’re going into shock,” announced Felina, “Where’s that healer of yours? She’s usually about.”
“I’m just cold.” I glanced around the chilly room, wondering why I hadn’t bothered to ask for the fire to be lit. And suddenly hoping Madam Healer-Prime wouldn’t show up early for my back massage. While she was always kind and attentive, I needed space to come to terms with Felina’s news. And the way it had wrenched me out of this torpor…
“I still reckon Seth should be with you.” As Felina’s image on the holopad leaned closer, I longed for her to enfold me in one of her huge hugs. But she couldn’t, because she was over six thousand miles away in the heat and poverty of The Arids.
Vrox thumped through my head like a hammer, awash with grief for his own mother, who’d died defending him as a cub. But his mother was nothing like mine. My mother had plotted to have me convicted for a murder I didn’t commit.
So why did I feel like I’d lost an arm on hearing about her death? I blinked, trying very hard not to cry. Never mind about the loss of dignity, weeping was pure agony as my mantivore-silver eyes recently had become allergic to my tears. I drew a shaking breath. “What’ll happen now?”
“There’ll be an investigation, of course. The Council in Reseda will make sure the best in the Province will be looking into this case. Cupert Peaceman won’t get within sniffing distance.”
I nodded, finding Felina’s brisk practicality easier to deal with than her sympathy. “I could send someone. There’s lots of detectives in Gloriosa who’d do a prime job of looking into her… case. They get lots of practice – there’s a bunch of folks who get murdered every single day, here.” Longing for Cnicus lodged in my throat. I’d give anything to join them. Go home…
When I took on the post of Brarian Overlord just over a year ago, I’d been so sure it would be temporary. Convinced that within a handful of weeks, some roostering Bridgedeck Uppie cousin of mine would strut from the ranks of distant relatives littering up the place, pull some flashy moves in the Nodery to demonstrate his right to the Command Codes and wrest them away from Vrox. I’d even written a resignation speech, full of open-hearted acceptance of a better claim to the post of Overlord. I’d planned on retiring to a corner of The Arids, thousands of miles away from Brarian Place and Gloriosa Prime to live quietly with Vrox and Seth as the local Brarian.
But the months had crawled by slower than a one-legged hexapede and here I was. Still stuck as Brarian Overlord, ruler of the roaching planet.
***
What reviewers said about Mantivore Dreams…
Stella C
I thought that this was going to be an ordinary science fiction fantasy, but the reader gets so much more.
Very well written with an intriguing storyline, it kept my interest from the beginning.
The Author has woven words into interesting events, people and places. Excellent visual description to the story.
The development of characters are detailed and complete.
5 stars
Kaththea Hilarion
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review. I did not think I was going to like this book. I was wrong. I loved the book. Kryllia transitions from a frightened, insecure girl to someone who is willing to accept responsibilities she never wanted for the good of other people and beings.
5 stars
Mallory A. Haws: The Haunted Reading Room Reviews
What I enjoyed even more than the Science Fiction Fantasy, the new species, and the superb world-building, was the incredible literate imagery throughout.
5 stars
This Turkish edition was produced by Delidolu Yayınları in April 2018 – I love this one. The quirky 60s vibe with the restrained colour palette and the funky font is delightful and really eye-catching. This one is my favourite.
Published in August 2015 by NYRB Classics, this is another cover that goes back to the 60s sci fi psychedelic vibe for its influence. I love the vibrant orange colouring – also a 60s favourite and the patterns. Unfortunately that dreadful textbox is also a 60s feature, slapped across that lovely artwork and complete with a boringly forgettable font that disappears in thumbnail. Otherwise this cover would certainly have been a contender.
This Bulgarian edition, published by Георги Бакалов in 1979, is far more about the 1970s than the 60s. That is definitely a 70s haircut, and while I understand what they are trying to achieve, I think this effect manages to make poor Matthew look more like an alien. Frankly, I hate this one.
This edition, produced by Penguin Classics in March 2010, has really grown on me. I love the outline drawings and trying to make out exactly what is going on. The clean, uncluttered effect is complemented by that iconic 60s font, which really pops. This is clever and original – and runs a very close second to that first cover as my favourite.
This edition, published in 1987 by Penguin is the successful version of what that Bulgarian edition is attempting. The red colouring really pops against that fabulous title font, while that fractured stare of the young boy is both eye-catching and creepy. My trouble with this offering is that the genre it projects isn’t quirky sci fi featuring a young schoolboy and a curious alien who became his pretend friend – it looks more like a horror tale… Which is your favourite?
and other such underhand practices. But it’s hard to get honest work when few businesses will employ young ladies in the security professions. The duns are at the doorstep, her friend Liu the half-fox-spirit is in some sort of trouble, and the rivalries of the Folk are in danger of overspilling into the mundane world and forcing the Empire into a bloody and horrifying war. Can Eveline pull things out of the mire this time, or will the Sparrow’s wings be clipped once and for all?
into single-minded obsession. Neither is safe; because the galaxy wants Bosa Sennen dead and they don’t care if she’s already been killed. They’ll happily take whoever is flying her ship.
No means I have to travel with them to another planet—again.
Brainfluff 