Welcome to Day #1 of the Impyrium Blog Tour!
To celebrate the release of Imyprium by Henry H. Neff (10/4/16), blogs across the web are featuring exclusive content from Henry and 10 chances to win a SIGNED copy of Impyrium, as well as a Grand Prize Giveaway!
Old Magic, New Dangers: Welcome to Impyrium!
by Henry H. Neff
In 3,000 years, the vast majority of humans won’t know that we ever existed. They’ll have no idea that mankind once had sophisticated cities and governments, that we ever built computers or airplanes much less walked on the moon. New York? Paris? The names will hold as much meaning for them as Atlantis does for us; a familiar ring but hardly anything to be taken seriously. Such names belonged to distant legends and children’s stories. Everyone knows that civilization began with the Cataclysm and that the godlike Faeregines have always ruled the world. If a skeptic believes otherwise, he’d be wise to keep any theories to himself. And if he happens to stumble upon a long-buried skyscraper? Well…best not to.
Welcome to Impyrium. Depending on whom you ask, it’s not just an empire but a noble dream, a secret, a dark conspiracy. It’s a world where humans have separated into two virtual species: the elite mehrùn who were born with magic, and the ordinary muir that serve them. Want to wield power in Impyrium? You’d better belong to the right family and have some spells and a homunculus at your disposal. Otherwise, grab a shovel or some boot polish—you’re late for work.
Some malcontents—perhaps those Fellowship rebels—might whine that the arrangement isn’t fair and wish to topple the established order. But they don’t know everything, do they? For example, they don’t know what lies beyond the Otherland Gates, or why the Faregines set four dragons to guard them. The masses can have no conception what it’s like to deal with the demonic Lirlanders that control the oceans from their undersea kingdoms. After all, it’s not muir with their silly little guns that have kept the Lirlanders in line all these centuries; it’s Faeregine sorcerers whose magic can summon, bind, or break them.
Or at least that’s the way it’s supposed to work. But times change, and Faeregine magic is not what it used to be. Mina I was a living goddess but it’s Mina XLII that sits on the throne now, and no one would mistake “the Spider” for a deity. The Divine Empress is but a shadow of her ancestors, and the Faeregines’ enemies have noticed.
The signs are everywhere. Riots in the provinces, spies listening at doorways, even murders in the palace. You see, imposters broke into a vault containing the Lirlander Seals—priceless relics whose enchantments protect ships that cross the demon-ruled seas. The thieves might not have made off with any Seals, but they did escape and left a body or two behind. Who knows where they might be lurking?
There’s no shortage of suspects. It might have been a rival family, muir revolutionaries, or perhaps the Lirlanders themselves. But one thing is certain: House Faeregine is under siege.
The Divine Empress may not rival her ancestors, but she’s no fool. The Spider knows there’s something strange about her granddaughter. Twelve-year old Hazel might be a triplet, but she looks nothing like her sisters and the circumstances of her birth were…unusual. Scholars are hinting that the Old Magic might burn within the girl. If so, perhaps her spark can be stoked into a fire, an inferno to rekindle the Faeregine mystique and scatter their enemies.
Unfortunately, the princess is soft. Hazel has no desire to be a family weapon and requires proper motivation that the empress is all-too-willing to provide. The girl loves her tutor, Dàme Rascha like the mother she never knew. Perhaps that’s the string to pull. And then there’s that new servant, Hob Smythe, that’s always hanging about the princess. Hazel seems rather fond of him. The boy looks suitable. He also looks like he’s keeping a secret…
Want to know more? Dive into Impyrium and join two unlikely allies as they face a conspiracy that’s bigger and more dangerous than they can imagine!
GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY
*****
Stop by Book Swoon tomorrow for day #2 of the tour!
Blog Tour Schedule:
October 24th — Crossroad Reviews
October 25th — Book Swoon
October 26th — Life Naturally
October 27th — The Fandom
October 28th — GeoLibrarian
October 31st — WordSpelunking
November 1st — Bookhounds
November 2nd — The OWL
November 3rd – Mundie Kids
November 4th — Ravenous Reader
In the first book of Henry H. Neff’s new high-stakes middle grade fantasy series, two unlikely allies confront a conspiracy that will shake the world of Impyrium to its core. For over three thousand years, the Faeregine dynasty has ruled Impyrium. But the family’s magic has been fading, and with it their power over the empire. Whether it’s treachery from a rival house, the demon Lirlanders, or rebel forces, many believe the Faeregines are ripe to fall. Hazel, the youngest member of the royal family, is happy to leave ruling to her sisters so that she can study her magic. But the empress has other plans for her granddaughter, dark and dangerous plans to exploit Hazel’s talents and rekindle the Faeregine mystique. Hob, a commoner from the remote provinces, has been sent to the city to serve the Faeregines—and to spy on them. One wants to protect the dynasty. The other wants to destroy it. But when Hazel and Hob form an improbable friendship, their bond may save the realm as they know it…or end it for good.
About the Author: Henry H. Neff grew up outside Chicago before going off to Cornell University, where he majored in history. Before becoming a writer, he was a management consultant and also taught history at a San Francisco high school. Impyrium is his second series. The first, The Tapestry, is a five-volume epic that follows the life and adventures of Max McDaniels. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with his wife and two sons. You can also find him at www.henryhneff.com.
Don't let the almost 600 pages scare you! This was one story that was out of this world! Complex characters, kick butt action, and high fantasy await the reader in this new story from author Neff!
I have to say that this is the next Harry Potter! Twists, coming of age, and more man this book knocked my socks off!! I read it in one sitting and I just couldn't put it down. I really need book three asap!
Fans of both middle grade and teen will love this story! The characters feel much older than their ages and the story will suck you in until the very last page.
GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY
- One (1) winner will receive an Impyrium Prize Pack featuring a collector's box packed with a signed copy of Impyrium, bookmark, poster, Hob temporary tattoo, and a signed sketch by Henry H. Neff
- Enter via the rafflecopter below
- US Only
- Ends 11/6 at midnight ET
Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. Buying via these above links allows my site to get a % of the sale at no cost to you. This money gets used to buy items for giveaways. In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. I am in no way compensated for any reviews on this site. All donations are to help keep this site running via costs from shipping, .com charges, and other giveaways.
Comments are DELICIOUS! and now that were using this new format for comments the TOP 3 Commenters will all win bookish goodies each month! So that is just one more reason to comment! This is open to everyone! So get commenting!
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