This year, April feels more like the middle of July in Florida. It's smoldering hot and humid outside. When the sun is in its zenith, I prefer to stay indoors, so more time for writing. Having said that, I am almost done with the first draft of the next installment of Chronicles of Storm, and at this point, it seems like the story is writing itself.
I had wonderful news last week. In case, you didn't catch the post on my Facebook or Instagram, I wanted to let you know that The Storm Awakened, the first book of the Chronicles of Storm series, received a 5-star review from Readers' Favorite.
Here is what the reviewer says about The Storm Awakened:
The Storm Awakened is a work of fiction in the fantasy, mythology, and adventure genres, and is the opening novel of the Chronicles of Storm series. Penned by author N.M. Thorn, the novel introduces Declan Storm, who seeks peace after a stint in prison, only to be thrust into chaos when vampires terrorize Key West. Amidst this, a priceless codex theft and a deadly monster ramp up the tension. As Declan investigates, ancient secrets and betrayals surface, forcing him to confront his dangerous past and outsmart a vengeful foe. This is an electrifying read that kept me engrossed from the first page with its rich blend of urban fantasy and Slavic mythology.
N.M. Thorn dives into the mystique, grit, and depth of these cultural and atmospheric influences, creating a richly textured world filled with dynamic characters and intense action that is realistically dark and dangerous. Declan Storm's journey is fraught with suspense thanks to the close narrative style and the emotional presentation of the character that has us rooting for him as we feel every struggle and challenge viscerally. While the intricate plot and unexpected twists really put him to the test, they also keep us guessing until the very end, thanks to some very satisfying details. Thorn's vivid descriptions and skillful pacing introduce us to a gorgeous, dangerous world and a thrilling adventure that leaves us eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Overall, I would highly recommend The Storm Awakened as a must-read for urban fantasy and mythology fans everywhere to enjoy.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Ask the Author
Question: Who has been your favorite and least favorite main characters to write and why?
Answer: This is probably one of the hardest questions to answer because, even though my main characters are very different, I enjoy writing all of them. They have different personalities and very different powers. But most of all, they have different backstories, which are partially responsible for the way they view the world and react to certain situations. Each of the main characters has a different placement in the magical universe, which gives me a great opportunity to explore and expand my world.
Let's see...
1. Damian Blake is a straight arrow, a supernatural cop who was betrayed by his own organization. He's dark and brooding, but he is still trying to follow the letter of the supernatural law. Not much of a scholar, he knows only what he needs to know to survive battles with the forces of Darkness.
Damian is associated with the Destiny Council, allowing me to dive deeper into the complex ways of the Destiny Council work. In the Shadow Enforcer series, I had the opportunity to show what the Board of Destiny is, how it operates, and how it is used by the High Council.
2. Declan Storm is a complete opposite of Damian. He's a supernatural conman, who is lighthearted and sly (most Children of Air have those airy personalities). He is also sharp, quick-minded and well-educated. He had been skirting both laws (magical and human) for ages, and for many years, he didn't really have a strong moral compass. But reinstating his own House, and returning to the teachings of his late father Claude Arnelle is starting to change his attitude toward the World of Magic and his place in it.
Declan choses to work closely with the Wardens Order, which is not surprising considering his love for learning. That allowed me to show you the Wardens Libraries and Archives and explain how they use them.
3. Zane Burns, a.k.a. Gunz, is an ex-soldier who went through hell at a young age. He suffers from PTSD and is extremely homesick, being alone in a foreign country. Unlike Damian and Declan, he is very new to magic. So, his character arc was probably the easiest to write. He is growing into his powers and learning to survive in the brutal and unfriendly world he had been thrown into.
Zane is closely associated with the Guardians Order. So the Fire Salamander Chronicles talk about their Academy and their place in the World of Magic.
There you have it... So which of my main characters is my favorite to write? The answer is -- all of them. I enjoy every minute I spend crafting their stories and imagining the complicated world of the Salamanderverse.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me. I’ll be happy to answer your questions in my next Author’s update.
As always, thank you all so much for your continued support.
Happy reading!
N.M. Thorn
Enter the Salamanderverse, where magic and ancient myths are real, and things are not what they appear to be.
If you haven't done it yet, you can download "The Burns Path”, a prequel to the Fire Salamander Chronicles Urban Fantasy series, for FREE on my website. The events of this 49,000-word novella occur before the Burns Fire, and it can be read as a standalone book.
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