August | 2023 | Niels Saunders

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of the Black Sky (Book 4 in The Legend of Saru) you can grab a copy of From the Valley of Orchids (Book 1) for just $0.99 / £0.99 this week:

US Amazon link

UK Amazon link

(Regular price $4.99 / £3.99)

If you’re new to my site and haven’t heard about From the Valley of Orchids yet, here’s the blurb:

Gods and Demons Clash in Mythological Japan

In the Kingdom of Yamato, magic is misunderstood. When humans pray at shrines to the spirits of the land, their wishes are not granted directly. Instead, sometimes gods are born: shapeshifting animals with the power to conjure weapons and enter the realm of dreams.

When a snow monkey named Saru is born from a prayer of hope, he longs to understand the truth about his nature. At an enchanted temple, he crosses paths with the demonic monk Akame whose infernal magic destroys everything Saru loves—and could soon threaten the whole world.

Saru flees to Otari Village, a settlement of kind people who welcome him into their homes. The village, however, is plagued by ghosts and wicked men who would exploit Saru’s powers. With Akame’s arrival looming, will Saru save the village, or lose everything again? How far will he go to protect those he loves?

Discover the Secrets of Yamato’s Past

Bringer of the Black Sky is now available on Amazon in eBook, paperback, hardback:

eBook

Paperback

Hardback

Bringer of the Black Sky transports you a thousand years into Yamato’s past. Exploring the stories of Kasumi, her son Hanya, Laurent of Gallia and the kappa Juzo the Thirteenth, countless mysteries are finally revealed. Here’s the blurb:

A thousand years before Saru scales Mount Shouza, Kasumi and her husband Hoshino are expecting their first child. As a half human, half tengu crossbreed, their son Hanya is seen as an ill omen, and their only choice is taking him to Mount Ogawa to be raised by his tengu aunt and uncle, Raiu and Asahi.

Growing up alongside Juzo the Thirteenth, the last kappa in Yamato, and Kibatarou the boar god of endurance, Hanya learns to control his unique magic. Meanwhile, Kasumi crosses paths with Laurent of Gallia, the legendary scholar and swordsman whose disappearance in the Painted World remains a mystery centuries later.

Although Hanya finds a home on Mount Ogawa, being abandoned by his parents leaves him jaded and hateful of humans, and he dreams of exposing their hypocrisy and arrogance. When tragedy strikes the mountain, he plans a devastating reprisal against the humans which will shake Yamato to its core.

The cover, as always, is by the marvellous Nicolás Castell.

Don’t forget, all four books released so far are available on Kindle Unlimited!

Not only that, but book five in The Legend of Saru is now available to pre-order. The Golden Age releases on September 22nd: