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| Knight in Exile - The Lost Heir; Countdown! | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 26 2009, 01:01 AM (397 Views) | |
| Shana | Jul 26 2009, 01:01 AM Post #1 |
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Professional Pyro
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Well I'm super pumped for my book's release date which is currently set sometime late August. I am so pumped in fact that I wanted to share small teasers, bits of the original manuscript. For those who are actually interested in checking the book out when it comes out, thanks a lot for your support! Words can't describe my gratitude that I have people interested in something I wrote. It truly is an amazing feeling when someone says that they enjoyed reading something you wrote. It's hard to believe that in a little over a month I will be holding an actual printed copy of a story I began writing when I was 16 years old. Through time, rewrites, and working my butt off to get this far, one month seems like it's a short time but so far it's going too slow! Every week until the book comes out I will post a small cut of the novel from a random part in the book. They are practically spoiler free if you've already read the descriptions and such and generally know what the book is about. I hope you're looking forward to the release as much as I :3. From the Chapter: Blind Beasts With care, Elena snuck to the doorway and peered out from beyond to witness what lay at the end of the hall. Before her stood what only nightmares fathomed. Three dog-shaped beasts, each with fur black as ebony and ears winged like a bat’s. The creatures snorted and smelled the ground, their bellows and snarls echoed in the corridor as if they called to one another. They had no eyes; what remained were burns and scars traced over welded lids. The one in front raised its wide, flat snout to smell the air. The hideous being’s crimson tongue flapped from beyond its serrated teeth and its ears twitched. The beast’s head turned toward Elena. If it had eyes, Elena would know it was looking at her. The black beast’s back arched, the fur spiking up like a thousand sharp needles. A deep growl rose from its throat and dribble fell from its rancid mouth in thick globs. As if responding to their companion, the other two whipped their heads to the sound and whined, their ears trembling. Elena took a step back in fright. Her foot nudged against a broken shield. The sound of metal scrapping against stone alarmed the dogs. They barked and stepped forward with their sharp, talon-like claws. A trembling terror crawled down her spine like sliding water. She didn’t know what these animals were or where they had come from, but she did know that even though they appeared blind, they saw her. Flight took her legs and Elena bolted down the corridor as fast as her injuries would allow. She scrambled over the rubble and clutter of the ground and rounded the corners of the castle’s interior as the howl of the raging beasts followed behind. With a powerful pounce of their strong limbs, the black dogs leapt after her. The tight turns and narrow passageways of the castle proved more difficult for them, for they often slammed or jumped against the walls before regaining their footing. Regardless, Elena knew they were gaining on her. Fast. “Arret!” she shouted, “Reynul!” No response. One of the monsters caught up with her and sprang into the air to seize her within its jaws. Elena dropped to her hands and knees and the beast flew over her and smashed into a wooden door, shattering it on contact. It let out a great whine but quickly recovered. Elena scurried back to her feet and dashed farther down the corridor, soon being chased once again by the three beasts. She navigated through what felt to be an endless array of passageways. She tensed her back, fearful of the seemingly inevitable moment when one of the blind beasts caught up with her. Elena’s leg screamed with pain, her injury slowed her down with every step. She stumbled, her foot snared by what remained of a fallen soldier. Thump. Elena hit the ground hard. She tried to climb back to her feet but one of the beasts stood over her, sniffing. Its wet nose, its rank breath, and its frightening teeth hovered only inches from her neck as it inspected and confirmed its prey. This was it, Elena thought. She cried, terrified by the beast, unable to move beneath the weight of its powerful foot that was pressing onto her stomach, pinning her down. Its drool fell on her, some touching her cheeks and neck. She let out a frightened whimper. Triumphant of the prize it had found, the creature lifted its head high and howled gleefully. Elena closed her eyes. A blur of metal and wood zipped through the air. A half broken spear bore into the animal’s side. The black beast wailed in pain. Elena opened her eyes and glanced down the walkway. Arret stood at the end of the hall with his arm thrown out. He pulled back and shouted for her to escape. The two beasts jumped in front of their injured companion and snarled at their attacker. “Get out of there, Elena!” Arret shouted, swiping his arm through the air. “What are you doing?” Elena recovered her senses and kicked at the beast’s underbelly. The already angered creature winced and cowered back enough for Elena to flee toward Arret. When she met with him, the two rushed down the corridor, and the three creatures gave chase. “What are those things?” Elena exclaimed. “Drachnine,” Arret said, “blood hounds of the sorceress.” “What are they doing here?” “I’d be careful of that question. They didn’t kill you, they never kill what they’ve been set out to find, only anything else in their path. They are here because of you.” Both Elena’s fright and desperation rose. “Why are they after me?” “I don’t know! But if they are here then likely so is the Guard.” Arret and Elena evaded the creatures through the winding halls of Farwatch. The Drachnine however were relentless. The beasts seemed driven by a longing hunger, an unsatisfied desire. Arret glanced back. The drachnine in front pounced at him. He whipped around and, with a swift pull, yanked out his sword from the scabbard. The sharp ring of his blade resonated in the stuffy castle air. The beast fell onto him from above and slashed his claws deep into Arret’s arm, blood splashing from the wound. |
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| Anise | Jul 26 2009, 06:39 AM Post #2 |
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the cute one
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I cant read this....I want to read it all at once |
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| Silinrul Darastrix7 | Jul 26 2009, 09:12 PM Post #3 |
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Endless Fighter
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*Sigh* I really hate those dogs... <_< |
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| Shana | Jul 27 2009, 11:10 PM Post #4 |
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Professional Pyro
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Yush, they are mean ![]() Colored Illustration, yay:
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| Shana | Aug 1 2009, 11:38 PM Post #5 |
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Professional Pyro
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Expecting the full cover page design to get back to me sometime around August 10th, but likely sooner as they've been pretty quick these past few months. Kudos to Athest Nox for drawing Anemlia for me: ![]() Anemlia is the main antagonist in Knight in Exile: The Lost Heir. After tricking King Sorin into sending his trusted knights to their deaths, Anemlia murders the King and ascends to the throne. For years she has waged war on the continent of Indriul with one goal in mind: To bring all of Indriul once again under one banner, her banner. Beautiful, manipulative, and wicked, this villainess is the embodiment of temptation throughout the book and serves as Arret and Elena's ultimate obstacle. From the chapter: Late Introductions “Wait a moment!” she called to him. She slowed her pace to his once she reached a dozen or so steps behind him. Arret didn’t turn around. “I said wait!” He halted and returned a sidelong glance at her, the look of his eyes easily revealed his irritation. She choked back the idea of him trying to look menacing. Arret kept his deadly stare toward her. “What is it?” he asked with a bit of venom in his voice. “I’m lost,” she said, not even realizing her eyes were reluctant to gaze directly into his. “Do you know where the next town is?” Arret’s shoulders sagged. “You’re lost!” he exclaimed. “You’re lost?” He rubbed his forehead. “Look, I’m not a guide, escort, or a shepherd. You want to find the next town, do what I do: follow the trail ‘til you find it.” Before he could take another step, Elena asked him, “is that where you are heading? If you’re going to the next town then I’ll come with you.” “Oh no. No way.” He said, moving away. “Whatever trouble you have with the Guard, I’m not going to let myself get sucked into to it. I got a reputation with them as is. I don’t mean to agitate it anymore.” Elena walked after him. “You don’t even know they are after me any more than they are after you.” “Maybe so,” Arret agreed, “but I’m not taking any chances. Safe travels, Elena.” Arret headed down the road again. Elena however did not give up and followed him. She was not quite sure why she wanted to go with him, but if she indeed found someone who also avoided the Black Serpent Guard, then there was no doubt in her mind it would be safer to travel with him. If anything, it was better than being alone. She wondered if she was being foolish again. Part way down the trail, Arret stopped and rummaged through the bushes. He pulled out an old and beaten up looking sheepskin bag tied off with small rope. He tossed it over his shoulder and headed back down the path. Elena walked up, following alongside him. “What’s in the bag?” she asked with curiosity in her eyes. Arret came to a dead stop and looked at her with the same goaded eyes as before. “What are you doing?” She gave him a false look of innocence. It was a mask to hide the slight fear welling up inside of her. Elena knew she was wearing him thin on patience, but at the same time, she believed he wouldn’t hurt her. Her instinct had gotten her this far, so she stood firmly in front of him. Rude or not, he could be of help to her. “I’m following you. I can’t go back into that town; they’d detain me the moment I stepped foot inside.” “So you’re trying to come with me?” He laughed. “Not happening. I told you, I’m not letting whatever you did to the Guard involve me.” He pointed in the direction of the trail behind them. “If those guards were chasing after you then being with me just makes it harder for me to avoid them. I have to look over my shoulder enough as is.” “First,” she said boldly, “They were after you before they were after me. You bumped into me in the crowd and ran off. I saw guards running at me so I thought they had spotted me. It was just an odd coincidence we both happened to be running away from the same group of them. “I’m going the same way you are,” she assured. “At least let me come with you until the next town. From there you can run off as fast as you can and I won’t chase you. I need help, Arret. I don’t know where to go.” Arret rolled his head upward in aggravation. “I just told you. I’m not allowing some woman being chased by the Guard to follow me around. If you are even half the trouble I think you are, then waltzing in to the next town with you trailing behind will be like parading into the White Citadel with full trumpet. The last burden I need is having useless weight to slow me down.” It had been some time since Elena had ever been so angry. The last time she recalled being so upset was when Melanie and the rest of her friends had picked on her several winters ago during the spring festival because she had no one to dance with. She hated being patronized even more than she hated being teased. With no warning, she shoved him, throwing him a few steps backward before he regained his footing and realized what she had done. Arret glared at her. “Hey!” He noticed something was in her hand. It was a small bag, hanging between Elena’s fingers. She bounced it up and down lightly, making the contents shake with a cascade of sharp ringing sounds. Arret checked his hip and noticed his purse was missing. He was shocked that she had taken it without him even noticing. “Give that back,” he demanded. Elena shook her head. “Not unless you let me go with you to the next town.” “I’ll just take it back then,” Arret said. He stepped toward her. He reached to claim the coin purse but Elena took a few steps back and opened it up. “Try and I’ll scatter it into the forest. You’ll be looking around in tall grass and bush forever.” “You fool! The Guard will–” he silenced himself. “Catch up to us?” She stretched her mouth into a triumphant smile, “I thought you said they gave up easily. I bet you were trying to let them catch me so they’d just forget about you.” Arret took the hilt of his sword in hand. The steel of the blade against the mouth of the scabbard gave out a sharp rasp as he pulled it free. He pointed the tip of it at Elena’s chin. “I said give it back,” he hissed. Elena’s back straightened. “No.” Arret adjusted his grip on the handle of his longsword. “If you toss that bag, then I’ll kill you,” he warned her. |
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| Shana | Aug 5 2009, 08:16 AM Post #6 |
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Professional Pyro
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And here it is! The final proof of the cover page.
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| Silinrul Darastrix7 | Aug 5 2009, 01:03 PM Post #7 |
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Endless Fighter
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Well it lacks the Key Lime Pie, but... kewl. |
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| Shana | Aug 8 2009, 06:50 PM Post #8 |
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Professional Pyro
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I'll be receiving the fully formatted interior on or before the 20th of August. Later than I'd like but after I get that I'm hoping they will finally have everything they need to start printing. From the chapter: Memories. Arret recollects on a time when he was a child living in the halls of Erommel. “I see,” pondered the king. “A good move. My queen was doomed to be taken.” Sorin looked over the chessboard—a horrid mess. Arret sat opposite him on the steps of the throne, waiting for his opponent. The king appeared baffled, every move he simulated would lead to checkmate. His hand shook under his chin and he rubbed his fingers against the bristles of his snowy beard. Arret smiled. “You could always move your king away,” he told him, “that would be the best move.” The king laughed and arched his eyebrow. “You’ve grown a taste for trickery! Always remember, Arret: never take advice from those who would benefit from your loss.” The page nodded. “Thank you, My Lord. I will remember.” The king went back to the examination of his hopeless state. With all his knights gone, and his queen taken, not even the pawns could aide him. Arret had him. The king’s silent thinking however was soon broken by the cries of one of his guards outside the throne room. He jerked his head toward the great oak doors; Arret mimicked him. They listened with intent, care, and subtle fear. More screams echoed from beyond the throne door, startling the two chess players even more so. Alarmed by the noise, Arret looked at Sorin with frightened eyes. He had a taste of horror in them that caught Sorin’s glance for a moment. They were the orbs of terrified innocence, a look that would remind Sorin that Arret was simply a child after all. Though the air was troubled, the king looked calm. Even the blistering sound of cries still lingering beyond the great door did not deter his composure. He focused on Arret, a look that surprised the boy. It was neither sad nor terrified, fearful nor despairing, just the gentle smirk of a man who laughs in the face of his destroyer. “Arret,” he said softly. “Go and hide.” Arret’s eyes snapped wide. He didn’t understand what the king was thinking. “But…But what of you?” The king shook his head. “I have been running far too long, depending on those around me. It is time I step up for my own as all men do. Go and hide. I ask you this as your King.” The page wanted to argue it further, but the stern glare the king returned to him forced his withdrawal. Arret stood up, eyes glassy from despair. He knew nothing of what his king said to him or what the king was up to. As asked of him, the boy hid behind one of the pillars. Only half of his head peaked out from behind the marble, a single eye to catch a glimpse of what was going on. The king looked down at the chessboard to his impossible situation. He laughed at his helplessness. “Much I have gambled with fate in this life, but this time I fear that death has at last called the bluff.” He stood up, taking the sheathed, shining sword Ellisideal in hand. He laid the tip of the scabbard on the ground in front of his feet, his hands firmly wrapped about its golden grip. The king’s eyes focused on the throne-room doors. His profile grew serious; staring down at what could be his destruction. Many would run, while others would cower, but he remained proud and patient, waiting for death to greet him in the gaze. The doors burst open and a group of twelve guards fully clad in polished steel, full-plate armor scrambled inside, closing it shut, bracing against it as if to keep an unspeakable terror from getting by. A few of them wore crimson mantles, and all of them wore breastplates embroidered with the symbol of a golden olive vine coiled around a sword. “My king!” their senior proclaimed, “the sorceress has defected. There are intruders in the castle. We will protect you!” “Do what you must, my faithful soldiers,” commanded Sorin. “This is our true enemy and we must not falter. If this be the day that the might of Erodela is tested then let it be an example to all who would hinder our beliefs! Let the steel of our resolve show them—” His words came to a halt when a large pounding on the great oak doors nearly pushed the guards away. It was strong, horrifically strong. The giant metal hinges of the door whined with agony, the small space between the doors spat out hot flame. They heard the sound of wood burning, and the cries beyond the door fell deadly silent. With every ounce of strength, the soldiers pushed the door back, holding it in place. The force crashed and battered, each time growing even more powerful. The soldiers slid back with every hit, regaining their footing just in time to force the door back and ready for the next strike. Sorin remained as he was. He stood firm and undaunted, his grip choking the pommel of his sword. His soldiers groaned and cried in panic as they used all of their earthly might to keep the fiery presence beyond the battering door at bay. The wood of the door hissed from burning, and it was only a matter of time until whatever monstrosity stood behind the door broke its way through. Then all fell quiet. The door no longer moved and the flames no longer burned. The great oak door was not being attacked anymore. The men glanced at one another in both fright and curiosity. Arret could only watch and wonder what foul terror they would face beyond the doors. Holding the door shut was their only choice. It had come to be their shield. They held firm, not lowering their guard for even a moment. When silence gripped them still, one of the soldiers couldn’t help but hear a sharp whistling sound coming from beyond the sturdy oak. He placed his ear to it and listened. The wood was burning. In a huge blast of fire, as if the gates of hell had been unleashed upon them, the doors burst open. The force of the blast shattered the oak door and sent the soldiers off their feet. Splinters of wood rained down onto the floor like countless thin daggers, and blazing embers danced freely in the air like endless fireflies. Sorin’s men recovered and scrambled back to the entrance to see who had caused such a powerful explosion. They lined up, forming a small phalanx between the unseen enemy and the king. Arret’s ears echoed with the sharp rasp of their swords freeing themselves from their scabbards. He watched them stand in terror as they waited for whatever demon approached from behind the curtain of fire before them. The flames parted with the wave of a woman’s hand, as if drawn like fiery curtains. The flames focused onto what remained standing of the great oak doors. There, center stage, within the threshold of the blazing door stood Anemlia, with a satisfied smirk across her face. It was the smile of bloodlust. She sought triumph for a victory she had longed to achieve. She walked into the room. Her stride as casual as any other time, ignorant of the blood spilt on her wicked hands. She headed toward the king and stopped in front of the line of soldiers barring her way. “Get back!” one of the more green guards shouted as he charged her, his sword drawn back like a readied stinger. She fixed her gaze upon him; her red eyes glowed, her mouth stretched to a wide smile. The guard suddenly burst into flames and fell over. The other guards attacked but they too were quickly set ablaze as swiftly as the sorceress set her gaze on them. As they fell to the ground, Anemlia stepped over their corpses and stopped just past them to look at the king who had witnessed the horrific event with unshaken resolve. She curtsied. The two stood staring at one another, each too far for any sudden attack. The sorceress smiled; the king only frowned with disappointment. “I am ashamed, my advisor,” the king told her. “How long have you been planning this?” He paused for a moment, lost in Anemlia’s deep crimson eyes. Then, with a humble realization, he chuckled under his breath. “Ah,” he said cheekily, “has it been since you draped Lord Brakel around your hand, perhaps? Wooing men with false promises, I see.” Anemlia smirked. Her left eye twitched slightly. “For an elderly bird locked within his own cage, you are quite well informed.” “This is indeed my castle, my dear. You should know no secrets can be formed, even behind a tightly locked door. Now enough of this chatter. Come claim what you have sought.” Anemlia curtsied to him with a confident smile, the bottom of her sable-black dress cuffed in white wolf fur fluttered slightly. “For thy king.” Her eyes glowed bright red again. |
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| Shana | Aug 20 2009, 12:07 AM Post #9 |
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Professional Pyro
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Received my full interior today and very happy with its progress. The book totals at about 633 pages long which is a LOT more than I thought it was going to be. Seriously, even I cringe at books over 500 pages long O.o;; No more chapter clips as the book will be on sale within the next month
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| L.Kaisamu423 | Aug 20 2009, 09:09 PM Post #10 |
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Evil Laura!
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*camps at Barnes and Noble*
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| Shana | Aug 28 2009, 04:42 AM Post #11 |
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Professional Pyro
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You'd be waiting a while :(. Barnes & Nobles are picky and I need reviews and stuff before I can hope to put one of my books in their store. On a lighter note: 5 DAYS! 5 business days and they will ship me my first copy proof of the novel. OMG!!!! I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. It's been on my mind nonstop all day. I'll probably get it sometime at the end of next week or the beginning of the following and if everything is OK with it, I can approve it and it will be print ready and on sale before the 15th of September. BLARGH I can't wait XD. |
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| L.Kaisamu423 | Aug 28 2009, 05:25 PM Post #12 |
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Evil Laura!
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I'll go flog Barnes and Noble with a stick I buy most of my books there and in this economy can a store really stand to loose someone who comes in there maybe once every two weeks and might spend a little over $100 on books? I'll make em put it in my store
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| Shana | Sep 1 2009, 11:39 PM Post #13 |
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Professional Pyro
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I received my proof today and was quite impressed with it. I accepted the final approval and the book has now reached Print Ready status! It will be on sale very soon. :3 |
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| L.Kaisamu423 | Sep 2 2009, 08:36 PM Post #14 |
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Evil Laura!
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where do I buy? |
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| Shana | Sep 8 2009, 08:19 PM Post #15 |
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Professional Pyro
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Knight in Exile is ON SALE! Link I fought to try to get the price lowered but unfortunately the company said that is their standard and is non-negotiable, which I'm quite miffed about that. However, if you want a cheaper AND autographed copy, just e-mail me your mailing address and you can send me a check if you have online bill pay or paypal. I'm selling them for about $18 myself as that is what the price SHOULD have been. Let me know! Also to note if you do pick up a copy and read it, please, PLEASE write a review on the Amazon.com page. The more reviews I get, the more attention it will bring later down the road and will help me in getting into a larger company. I very much appreciate any support you give me! |
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| L.Kaisamu423 | Sep 8 2009, 09:24 PM Post #16 |
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Evil Laura!
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Well I am waiting on mine to get shipped ... stupid slow mail |
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| Valtea | Sep 9 2009, 08:01 AM Post #17 |
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Oh, great! I should probably wait a bit but it's on the immediate list of things to get. |
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| Silinrul Darastrix7 | Sep 13 2009, 02:30 AM Post #18 |
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Endless Fighter
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Halfway done... I hafta say, impressive. It's hard fer me to not talk about here and gib spoilerz. Grrr.... I'll just say that Anemlia can be a real evil *****. XD |
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| Shana | Sep 13 2009, 11:22 PM Post #19 |
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Professional Pyro
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So I return from a day of utter crap cause of this inspection we have at work and guess what I find at my book's page at Amazon. Two reviews. One of which is from Seikh who finished the book a little before I got back home: "The title speaks much for itself, but I really need to stress just how good of a book this really is. Sure, it's a bit pricey, and to be honest that was a small deterrent against me getting it. This book, however, reinforces something I've always believed in, and that's "you get what you pay for." It was a well-spent 24 dollars. From the beginning, I found my interest peaked, and as the story went on, that interest grew more and more. By the end of the book, I had stayed awake until 4 AM in the morning to get as far as I could, and my first thing I did after sleep was wake up and finish it. Plot twists, interesting characters, interesting environments, frightening enemies, and a desire to see more, this book has everything I like in a story. " Seikh, the shift today for me sucked a lot and I was pretty relieved to get out of there, but coming home and reading that made the day all worth it. Thanks XD. |
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| Silinrul Darastrix7 | Sep 14 2009, 02:55 AM Post #20 |
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Endless Fighter
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Don't get sappy on me kid, or I'll throw a book at you... YOUR book, in fact, since it'll hurt. |
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| Shana | Sep 14 2009, 04:21 AM Post #21 |
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Professional Pyro
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Ouch, yeah >.<. It's almost two pounds. Can you imagine how much it hurt if it was hardback?! O.o; |
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*camps at Barnes and Noble*
I buy most of my books there and in this economy can a store really stand to loose someone who comes in there maybe once every two weeks and might spend a little over $100 on books? I'll make em put it in my store 
2:25 PM Jul 11