Reign of the Black Flame: Book I: The Waterglobe by B.B. Vayk
In an age when the mighty Forces of Nature rule, the eternal battle between Fire and Water flares into war. One human is chosen to regain the ancient equilibrium at any cost, but a dangerous love threatens to sabotage his mission.
The evil Fire, fueled by ancient jealousies and a lust for power, commits the ultimate treachery - the theft of the Waterglobe. Equilibrium between the Forces is lost, leaving a drought-plagued world that only one brave human can restore. Robert Ground, longing for adventure, lives in a peaceful, sleepy little village. One day, Fire appears, laying to waste everything Robert has ever known. Determined to find out why he has become a target of the Prime Evil, Robert begins a journey to uncover his family’s secrets, and soon discovers a link between his past and the elemental battle waging around him. Robert is joined by the lovely, secretive Marian as they forge an unlikely partnership. Unknown to Robert, Marian is a fireling, and Fire’s cruelest, most loyal apprentice. As Marian pursues her own dark mission, two others join the travelers: Gider, the vicious, coarse, fermad, and Shine, the brave and noble rainsteed.
Reaching the Cloud Realm, Robert is tasked with an impossible mission, one that will test him beyond the limits of his endurance. The four adventurers navigate the perilous realms of the Forces, gathering powerful weapons for the final battle with Fire. Each is forever altered, as they must choose between self-sacrifice and treachery. Ultimately, Robert faces Fire and finally learns why he is destined to fight the ultimate evil...
 |  |  |  |
Find out more and view the trailer at: www.reignoftheblackflame.com
-- Tell us about your book:
Written for age 10 to young adult, my book is a fairytale/high fantasy novel that was first published in Hungary in Fall 2012, and has been very well received. Last year it was translated and edited into English, with the narrative adapted for publication in English-speaking markets. Its uniqueness is that the storyline was inspired by Hungarian lore (I am Hungarian), uniquely combined with personifications of the Forces of Nature - like Sun, Night, Wind King, Mother Moon, Cloud Queen, Water and Fire – in an ancient world of humans, watershapes and firelings.
I built a completely new fantasy world with new creatures and new realms – and I am sure these could not be found in any other novels.
And the story:
In an age when the mighty Forces of Nature rule, the eternal battle between Fire and Water flares into war. One human is chosen to regain the ancient equilibrium at any cost, but a dangerous love threatens to sabotage his mission.
The evil Fire, fueled by ancient jealousies and a lust for power, commits the ultimate treachery - the theft of the Waterglobe. Equilibrium between the Forces is lost, leaving a drought-plagued world that only one brave human can restore. Robert Ground, longing for adventure, lives in a peaceful, sleepy little village. One day, Fire appears, laying to waste everything Robert has ever known. Determined to find out why he has become a target of the Prime Evil, Robert begins a journey to uncover his family’s secrets, and soon discovers a link between his past and the elemental battle waging around him. Robert is joined by the lovely, secretive Marian as they forge an unlikely partnership. Unknown to Robert, Marian is a fireling, and Fire’s cruelest, most loyal apprentice. As Marian pursues her own dark mission, two others join the travelers: Gider, the vicious, coarse, fermad, and Shine, the brave and noble rainsteed.
Reaching the Cloud Realm, Robert is tasked with an impossible mission, one that will test him beyond the limits of his endurance. The four adventurers navigate the perilous realms of the Forces, gathering powerful weapons for the final battle with Fire. Each is forever altered, as they must choose between self-sacrifice and treachery. Ultimately, Robert faces Fire and finally learns why he is destined to fight the ultimate evil...
The evil Fire, fueled by ancient jealousies and a lust for power, commits the ultimate treachery - the theft of the Waterglobe. Equilibrium between the Forces is lost, leaving a drought-plagued world that only one brave human can restore. Robert Ground, longing for adventure, lives in a peaceful, sleepy little village. One day, Fire appears, laying to waste everything Robert has ever known. Determined to find out why he has become a target of the Prime Evil, Robert begins a journey to uncover his family’s secrets, and soon discovers a link between his past and the elemental battle waging around him. Robert is joined by the lovely, secretive Marian as they forge an unlikely partnership. Unknown to Robert, Marian is a fireling, and Fire’s cruelest, most loyal apprentice. As Marian pursues her own dark mission, two others join the travelers: Gider, the vicious, coarse, fermad, and Shine, the brave and noble rainsteed.
Reaching the Cloud Realm, Robert is tasked with an impossible mission, one that will test him beyond the limits of his endurance. The four adventurers navigate the perilous realms of the Forces, gathering powerful weapons for the final battle with Fire. Each is forever altered, as they must choose between self-sacrifice and treachery. Ultimately, Robert faces Fire and finally learns why he is destined to fight the ultimate evil...
--How did you get the idea for the story?
The storyline was inspired by my old childhood imaginations and my love for the folklore of my Hungarian ancestors. Growing up with those stories helped me to see the world in a different way, a place where things existed beyond our knowledge. As a child, I created characters in my mind that represented the forces of nature – the sun, the wind, the water – always imagining them to be actual people who ruled magical realms above and below. One of my first memories of this was when I was seven and spent a summer vacation in Italy with my parents. While watching the waves of the sea, I imagined an Ocean Queen – young, beautiful and powerful. Everything began with this vision.
Years later, with children of my own, these forces of nature recaptured my imagination. I drew them. I created every little detail about them: what they looked like, where they lived, who their servants were, how they used their power, and most importantly, how they worked with – or against – each other.
One day, during a rainy afternoon of writing, the hero of my story appeared on the page. Robert, a young man, with no real purpose to his life beyond living in a small sleepy village where nothing ever happened. That village was much like the one where my own grandparents lived; just as simple, just as peaceful, and where I spent many holidays as a child. Robert was clever and talented, but his abilities were not really needed in the human world in which he lived. Then, I created Marian, Robert’s adversary. Beautiful yet cruel, alluring yet evil; I really enjoyed her character! They represented two different worlds and together forged a strange, yet necessary partnership, as they journeyed through an age of castles, kings, knights and war, all ruled by the mighty forces of nature.
Years later, with children of my own, these forces of nature recaptured my imagination. I drew them. I created every little detail about them: what they looked like, where they lived, who their servants were, how they used their power, and most importantly, how they worked with – or against – each other.
One day, during a rainy afternoon of writing, the hero of my story appeared on the page. Robert, a young man, with no real purpose to his life beyond living in a small sleepy village where nothing ever happened. That village was much like the one where my own grandparents lived; just as simple, just as peaceful, and where I spent many holidays as a child. Robert was clever and talented, but his abilities were not really needed in the human world in which he lived. Then, I created Marian, Robert’s adversary. Beautiful yet cruel, alluring yet evil; I really enjoyed her character! They represented two different worlds and together forged a strange, yet necessary partnership, as they journeyed through an age of castles, kings, knights and war, all ruled by the mighty forces of nature.
--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?
I love all of my characters. However I really would like to have dinner with Fire himself. However I would not want to have a snack with a fermad – these are my own creatures: mutant bear-wolf hybrids, with supernatural strength and vigor, a limitless appetite and a tiny brain.
--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
Book 2 of The Reign of the Black Flame trilogy is complete and will be published in Hungarian in the near future. I currently work on Book 3. I have several children’s educational and short story books published in five countries (Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Hungary). Additionally, I have written and illustrated two children’s fairytale books, which will also be published in the European market.
--What book(s) is your book’s “cousin”? (Similar kind of read, set-up or style)
The target reader’s age of Reign of the black flame is similar to that of the Harry Potter series; however, the subject, characters and setting are very different. My novel is a unique combination of European folklore and the fantasy world building of Tolkien.
--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
I do not have much time to read but I must read as reading is my passion. I usually read at nights – before or after writing my own novels. My favourite authors are Tolkien, Rowling and Robin Maxwell.
--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?
--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?
I would choose the age of Anne Boleyn – such an interesting and exciting era with lots of intrigues at the Royal Courts.
--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?
When I write, I just need my computer, nothing else. During writing I enter my fantasy world as if I would step into another dimension.
--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
No more sleeping! Without sleeping I would have much more time!
--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
I love playing with my two children (my daughter is 8, my son is 4), and I love drawing and painting – especially portraits.
--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?
Read and write as much as you can!
--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
As I always draw my characters, I would really appreciate any feedback about my booktrailer capturing my own illustrations. And first of all I would like to say THANK YOU to my readers. I have learned to believe in dreams, to work for them and to never give them up. And now, I have a new dream, to add to the rest: that those who read my book will experience the same feelings I did when I wrote it; a desire to see a world of fantasy and possibility and to experience, side-by-side with Robert and Marian, their adventures as they travel realms never before explored!
Achievements:
- Honorable Mention at the Hollywood Book Festival 2014,
- 5 star review from Kim Anisi at Readers Favourite
website: www.bbvayk.com
facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/AFeketeLangUra?fref=nf (Hungarian), https://www.facebook.com/ReignOfTheBlackFlame?ref=hl (English)
youtube book trailers (capturing the author’s illustrations – how she imagined the characters during writing) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvfQJqGdv-o and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akRkegj7mJE (narrator: Andy Hefner, US actor)
Available on e-book and paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Reign-black-flame-B-B-Vayk-ebook/dp/B00IFV9ZI4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410938771&sr=8-2&keywords=reign+of+the+black+flame
Goodreads (rating 4,56): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21417838-reign-of-the-black-flame
Giveaway is for: paperback of Reign of the Black Flame: Book I: The Waterglobe by B.B. Vayk
Open to Int.
If under 18, must have parent's permission.
No Purchase Necessary
Open: 9/27-10/25
The Sponsor: Vayk and publicist
Winners will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and notified by email. They will have 48 hours to respond.
Email addresses or physical addresses or any personal information will not be sold
Liability: Brandi Breathes Books is not responsible for lost or stolen packages
Brandi Breathes Books Giveaways are hosted in Holly Springs, NC USA
Void where prohibited by law
-If you win a review on your blog and/or amazon is appreciated but not required.
I love this! I have to say, I have finally someone like me. Someone who doesn't actually love sleep and would get rid of it to have more time! Likewise, I write in silence, just me and my laptop working away in a new characters mind or in a new world. Brilliant review <3
ReplyDeleteCheck out my post: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/09/conformity-dead-poets-society-25.html