can you tell me about the lands that Voice of Shadows takes place in?
Thank you for asking! The universe of Voice of Shadows takes inspiration from Asheron's Call and the Elder Scrolls. I also owe inspiration to Shannon Hale's Books of Bayern series. It's a more traditional high epic fantasy (as opposed to The Keeper of Maralla) but with its own unique flavor. It spans over three continents that make up the world of Edon. At the dawn of time, Edon was full of many tribes that each specialized in their own weapon. The Drylan tribe specialized in the sword. The Ranlans specialized in archery. The Moga specialized in martial arts. The Sumar specialized in short blades, clubs, spears, and slings. The Erewon tribe used magic as their weapon. The Baddoners were dragon riders. Over the centuries, these tribes formed large nations. The weapon holders often fight each other over territory and resources, but they leave the Erewons and Baddoners alone because no weapon is a match for the magic wielders nor the dragons. The Jaralans were a peaceful people who never carried weapons, leaving them vulnerable to lose their ancestral land. Many mixed with Ranlans, learning the talent of archery.
Voice of Shadows tells the story of Myralyna, an Erewon who was ostracized because she wasn't good at magic and her mother was a Ranlan. Her people learn that a Drylan emperor has a new weapon that will tip the balance of power in his favor so that even the magic users should fear him. Myralyna also learns she has a half sister named Repp, a Sumer. They go on an adventure together to uncover the emperor's weapon. Myralyna soon discovers there are other types of magic, finding her own talent in a newly discovered magic called "shadow speaking". While other Erewon's wield the powers of the elements, Myralyna draws power from shadows.
There are companion books to Voice of Shadows, too, focusing on other tribes. Whelped in Fire tells the story of two Baddoners and their dragons. Of Thorns and Feathers tells the story of a Ranlan and a Jaralan, lifelong friends who get lost and embark on an adventure to find each other. I might come up with other companion stories, too, depending on where inspiration and time goes. There is a lot of romance in each of these stories💕😘
