About the Book
Title: Kingdom of Ruins
Author: D.C. Marino
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: July 27, 2018
In the Lands Within, history does not rest. Each archaeological layer communicates with the living generation, choosing its friends and enemies—and its kings. But an alliance has been struck no one could have anticipated, and an ancient evil is soaking into the soil. History is being erased, purchased and re-written at a terrible price. And a kingdom that shouldn’t have been forgotten is fading from memory.
In the Lands Without, archaeologist Lori Brickland has found a pottery shard with a heartbeat. The pulse might be a trick of the mind, or it might be the first sign of life in a world of ruin. An exiled traveler will say she shouldn’t search for the truth, a calculating ruler will say she’s the one he’s looking for. And the kingdom? The kingdom will need her before the end. It’s time to accept what she’s always known…
This isn’t archaeology.
This is war.
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My Perspective
This book was so fun to read! I thought I was on the adventure right with Lori the whole time. The author really had me right from the start. It doesn’t take long for story to really capture you and you find yourself hooked. I thought the author was so creative in writing this story. First of all, I would never think of it! But more importantly it’s not something I’ve read before. The idea of taking something like archaeology and turning it into this fantasy tale makes me want to go start digging somewhere!
The thought that the author had behind each character, each scene, fact, and realm was evident. And while the book is longer then most I’ve been reading lately, it didn’t really bother me. I was so entranced in the story line I didn’t notice. Lori is a character that needs some growth for sure, and in that was I found her to be very relatable. Fantasy genre readers will want to dive into this story as soon as they can. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next from this author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Author
D.C. Marino is a dedicated reader of history books and fantasy novels, both of which occupy an equal amount of space on her bookshelves. But it wasn’t until she realized how one breathed life into the other that she became addicted to finding the intersections of the real world and the fairy story. Still more: what those intersections about us as a creative, curious people. Kingdom of Ruins is her debut novel.
Guest Post from D.C. Marino
Hi everyone!
I’m so excited to share Kingdom of Ruins with you! This story has been on my heart and mind for over ten years now, so this feels a bit surreal. I’d love to tell you a bit about why I wrote this book. But in order to do that, I need to tell you why I almost didn’t.
Fantasy. It isn’t real. Why should I spend time writing a story that doesn’t grapple with the actual issues of the day? Why not speak plainly, instead of inventing another world to explore the real one? These were the questions I asked myself every night before I fell asleep. I adored fiction that transported me to factual events, or introduced me to historical figures, but every time I picked up a pen, the fantastical wiggled out of it.
I was afraid I was writing the wrong story.
This story oddly (or not so oddly) enough began with Lori, an atephobic archaeologist. Meaning she had a passion for archaeology, but a phobic fear of ruins. Why would she shrink back from the work she loved? Because no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make whole the broken. Life ends in dust, and that’s all there is to it. I felt the same way. Not only was I writing something I wasn’t sure would be relevant, but could it mend anything? Make a difference? Or was it futile, like trying to resurrect the past?
What I found was exactly what Lori begins to find in Kingdom of Ruins. That even though things seem unfixable, it isn’t the end. The world Lori enters is full of darkness and peril, but it also holds a chance for her to heal from more than just her fear. While I wrote, and especially as I neared the last chapter, I realized she and I had both overcome a great challenge. I won’t tell you her conclusion, but I will tell you mine:
I wrote the right story.
I hope you enjoy every bit of the journey as I did, dear reader.
D.C. Marino
Blog Stops
Carpe Diem, July 31
Remembrancy, July 31
Inklings and notions, August 1
Fiction Aficionado, August 2
Multifarious, August 3
Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 3
Connect in Fiction, August 4
Bigreadersite, August 4
Bibliophile Reviews, August 5
A Reader’s Brain, August 6
Just the Write Escape, August 7
Margaret Kazmierczak, August 8
Aryn the Libraryan, August 8
Simple Harvest Reads, August 9 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Blogging With Carol, August 10
proud to be an autism mom, August 10
Texas Book-aholic, August 11
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 12
Janices book reviews, August 12
A Baker’s Perspective, August 13
Giveaway
To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!https://promosimple.com/ps/ced0/kingdom-of-ruins-celebration-tour-giveaway
Sounds like a good read.
This has quite a unique premise!
Wonderful review!