Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Shadowslayers by Colin Sephton @GoddessFish

SHADOWSLAYERS

Colin Sephton

GENRE: Steampunk Fantasy

Blurb:

When doppelgangers start appearing in Oxford, Union Jack agents Ignatius and Indigo find themselves on another cosmic quest, one they didn’t set out to investigate.

Drawn into the search for the elusive and dangerous Book of Shadows, they find themselves traveling across the cosmos once again, racing against other versions of themselves, and visiting the Oracle to be given prophecies of terrible destruction that will engulf the cosmos in darkness. Only these two heroes—or their doubles—can open the book, which would lead to dreadful consequences for themselves, the world and the whole of creation.

The agents must outwit their own mirror souls and invade the impregnable Administorium, which holds the answers they need but also fearsome enemies of both the Union Jacks and the entire cosmos. In this quest, Ignatius and Indigo must protect not only England and the Empire, but the world and the cosmos.

Excerpt:

As the shadowy figure moved from shelf to shelf, ornate gilt decoration caught what dim light there was on his grey-turquoise armour. Carvings of ancient scribes and tomes written to record the passing of aeons on many worlds across many planes. The books he tended were part of the vast repository of information that he had collected through his long lifetime. Books here took the form of sacred texts carved in clay, or written on scrolls of vellum, or even human skin. Enormous tooled leather-bound volumes with gilt pages or with golden clasps, some were chained and bound, their knowledge too dangerous to be shared or accessed by mere mortals. The shelves had been arranged by subject and ordered in a timeline for each category. There wasn’t any index system. The Librarian worked using only his memory, knowing each and every volume, regardless of when it was written or when it was obtained. Nothing was forgotten, his memory was a storehouse of wisdom and knowledge from across the cosmos.

With his brother and sister, they had probably gathered the entire history of the cosmos. From time to time, they would travel the astral planes in search of new knowledge and rendezvous every millennium to discuss and compare notes to set quests for each of them to fulfil in the search of even more ancient texts. Legend had it the three siblings were born of the Goddess of Wisdom and their father was a High Priest of the Ti-Botta.

Interview with Colin Sephton

What is your favorite part of the book?

It’s difficult to state which is my favourite part of the book without giving something of the plot away. But something happens to Indigo that is really the making of her. It empowers her beyond anything expected.

Does your book have a lesson? Moral?

The book has several themes running throughout. Shadowslayers is a metaphysical science-fantasy journey that weaves together:

• Ancient Vedic wisdom

• Modern scientific speculation

• Deep psychological and spiritual inquiry

At its heart, it asks:

• What is consciousness?

• Can we alter fate?

• What does it mean to be whole in a fragmented universe?

  Through the two protagonists, Ignatius and Indigo, it explores how we might answer. Indigo is burdened by existential dread, alcohol, grief, and confusion about her place in the multiverse. Ignatius is haunted by divine lineage, recurring visions, and questions of destiny. So whilst there may not be a moral as such, we get to understand how Ignatius and Indigo are really struggling with the adventures they have experienced together. They are struggling to come to terms with it. They are the only two humans to meet gods, immortals and travel though the cosmos and time. So, when there is a spark of romance, is it love or just out of necessity, comfort and solace to ease their pain?

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

They are all imaginary, I often create fantasy art, so I will sometimes create characters that I will then write about. It helps me visualize and then describe the character.

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?

It’s difficult to choose. My favourite characters are Ignatius, Indigo and Adonai. All very different to each other. Probably because I can see different characteristics of myself in them. But if I had to choose, I would say Indigo. Firstly, I just love the unusual name, Indigo Gemstone. It’s a name I had kicking around in my head for years before I started writing. But she is fierce and independent, intuitive and likes to get the job done. But I would say Shadowslayers is really her story.

What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?

There are several. In the trilogy there are some god-like beings called the Celestials. I think they are all very arrogant and pompous, having risen above their station.

What would the main character in your book have to say about you?

There are obviously two main characters, Ignatius and Indigo. I think they would easily recognise the traits they have in me. So, I think we would all get along fine!

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

This is a trilogy, so each book is connected. Shadowslayers is the second book, so they are all connected and the story continues. However, I think each book can be read as a standalone.

Author Bio and Links

Colin was born in Coventry and worked in the automotive industry for over twenty years before becoming an Engineering teacher. Obtaining his first library card at the age of thirteen, he became an avid reader of Fantasy and the mysteries of the Universe. He has an inbuilt curiosity for lost knowledge and ancient texts that may help to unlock the secrets of consciousness and the universe. Living in Oxford for many years, he has now moved back to his home county of Warwickshire where he enjoys creating and working with his wife on their garden in which he writes and entertains their two grandsons. He has always been an artist and writer and is inspired by the worlds created by Robert E Howard and Michael Moorcock, with the artwork of Frank Frazetta.

Connect with Colin Sephton

Instagram at @timeslayers or @sephtonart

Find Colin’s website here: colinsephton.com

Giveaway:

$10 Amazon/BN GC

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