Hey everyone,

It’s another gorgeous (cloudy) day here in Melbourne. I currently have The Tortured Poets Department playing in the background as I write this. It’s a great album (if one I think could’ve benefited from a tighter editing and song selection).

But that’s not what this is about.

I am happy to report that The Truth of Stars, the prequel to the Deimachy trilogy, is complete.

The final word count for this draft is 20,783, which pops it firmly in the nice, short novella range. I think it’s a great little story, and offers a bit of a glimpse into Kaori’s backstory.

I’ve included the blurb below as a little tease, along with the first few lines.

Step into a world of intrigue and transformation in “The Truth of Stars.”

Before she became the formidable Queen of the Soulmongers, Kaori was known as Jasmine, a tormented Bloodsinger.

Enduring cruelty under the regent’s rule and with only one confidant, Jasmine’s life takes a dramatic turn when a divine voice offers her power and freedom.

But as she grasps at this chance for a new beginning, Jasmine faces a harrowing choice: sacrifice more than just her sanctuary to seize the elusive freedom she craves.

Dive into a gripping tale of sacrifice, ambition, and the price of power in this mesmerizing prequel to the Deimachy trilogy.

And now for the sample:

Sanctuary

Jasmine’s earliest memory was of her mother’s last words.

I’ll be in the stars, she said, looking down on you always. Whenever you look up, think of me, and I will see you.

She died the next day.

So as Jasmine stared up at the stars that night, she allowed herself a blissful moment of peace. A sense so rare and small. But there was comfort there, somewhere amongst the inky firmament.

There’s still a bit of work to be done before the cover and release date is announced, but you won’t have to wait too long.