Clare M Davidson: Trinity Blog Tour
First of all, Clare is an amazing person. She has been super supportive of my writing journey ever since we connected months ago on twitter. And I am happy to return the favor by hosting her blog tour here! On today’s docket is a review (sans spoilers)!
The comfortable sensation of being drawn into a brand new world starts within the first few pages of Trinity. Instead of feeling confused (as some fantasy stories induce), this compelling adventure gives the reader a sense of understanding right out of the gate. Even though I have not grown up in a tower, or in the Wolf clan, I could appreciate their opinions, emotions and lifestyles just as the story began to rise.
Trinity’s three main characters, Skaric, Nidan and Kiana are dynamic, relatable and above all else, enjoyable people to follow. The challenges they face might be great, but watching them evolve from their humble beginnings to multidimensional characters by the end is an achievement few stories accomplish with such grace. These characters shape the problem at hand and the environment around them. A story so focused on character is refreshing in the current market of plot-driven adventures.
The world-building and stunning settings place you right in the thick of battle, in the busy cities and in the vacant woods Clare so elegantly describes. Her writing is laced with imagery that brings the world to life. And the surrounding danger was palpable! My heart race spiked more than once with concern for the character’s well being. Let’s just say things don’t always turn out as you expect!
Moreover, the Wolf clan plays a formidable foe for Trinity’s heroes, especially in the power-hungry, self-centered Berend who mercilessly hunts the trio to exact his revenge. The vile, relentless types with motive are the scariest of all and Berend fits the bill. I’d hate to be sleeping in the woods knowing someone was hunting me. To learn how Kiana, Nidan and Skaric manage in their adventure to restore balance, you’ll just have to read the book for yourself x)
I had the wonderful privilege to read Clare’s YA Fantasy novel Trinity and encourage each and everyone of you to as well! The following is a short snippet from her novel:
With the shock of the fight over, Nidan felt his wounds stinging again. Quickly, he glanced over his injuries as well as he could. His shirt was tattered, mostly slashes on his arms and left shoulder, though he had also been cut across his right hand side. None of the wounds looked dangerously deep, and the black fabric Nidan wore hid the blood stains.
Kiana shook herself from his grasp and turned round to look down at the rider. Nidan followed her gaze. Another Wolf. Not their saviour. Just another Wolf. The mage had succeeded in dragging himself from beneath the dead horse and was beginning to stand. His face was stoically blank even though his shirt was blood-soaked. Nidan quickly took in the Wolf’s injuries: the mage had attempted to bandage a side wound; he held his left hand awkwardly with the fingers curled like claws; there were dark bruises around his neck and he wasn’t placing any weight on his left leg as he stood. He was a mess.
Nidan stepped forward and readied his sword.
Kiana grabbed hold of his arm. “He helped us!”
Nidan narrowed his eyes; he didn’t care.
“He could have helped them kill us,” Kiana said. “But he didn’t. Maybe he doesn’t want us… me… dead at all. You can’t kill him in cold blood!”
Yes, I can. Nidan tried to pull away from her, but Kiana clung on with surprising strength. The muscles in Nidan’s cheeks flexed, but he made no further attempt to circumvent her.
“I never said I didn’t want to kill you,” the Wolf said.
Kiana’s eyes were wide as she turned round. “But you helped us… because we saved you…”
The Wolf had limped round the horse and was now standing, staring at them both with cold blue eyes. Nidan couldn’t read his expression at all.
The Wolf laughed briefly, the sound full of bitterness. “No. For that I should kill you.” The Wolf raised his left hand ever so slightly, his fingertips twitching as he tried to uncrumple his hand.
Nidan wasn’t going to give him a chance. He rushed at the Wolf.
Kiana grabbed at his shirt but he was too fast for her. “Nidan, don’t!”
Nidan seized the Wolf by the neck of his shirt, holding him so their noses were almost touching. “I bet I can kill you before you can work your cursed magic.” He stared up at the Wolf, looking him in the eyes.
“If I was going to use magic against you, I would have already.”
Annoyingly, the Wolf had a point.
Nidan clenched his teeth. “I should kill you.”
“No!” Kiana pushed Nidan away and stepped between them. “Hasn’t there been enough killing?”
“There will never be enough killing for the Wolves. It’s all they live for. To kill those who worship Miale and Pios. To kill you.”
Trinity is available to buy from:
Paperback:
eBook:
Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Smashwords ~ Sony ~ iTunes ~ Barnes and Noble
Clare Davidson is a character driven fantasy writer, teacher and mother, from the UK. Clare was born in Northampton and lived in Malaysia for four and a half years as a child, before returning to the UK to settle in Leeds with her family. Whilst attending Lancaster University, Clare met her future husband and never left. They now share their lives with their young daughter and a cranky grey cat, called Ash. Clare juggles family life with writing, teaching and a variety of fibre craft hobbies.
Beautiful Blogger Award
What is this? More awards?! Thanks to Ruth, I was given these lovely awards for my blog (Note to Self: Put the blogger award pictures up on your blog). Now to divulge new secrets about myself and pass along the wonderment to other bloggers!
1) I just painted my room! For the first time since we moved here 15 years ago!
2) In my youth, I had an imaginary friend named Rupert. He was a talking cat x)
3) If I accomplish anything grand in my life, I hope it is helping to de-gender-ize colors.
4) My kryptonite is chocolate. Well caramel. Ok, chocolate and caramel together. With nuts!
5) I love Native American folklore and culture.
6) Donald Duck is my favorite main Disney character. I may have said this before. It warrants repeating.
7) I love to wonder. About the universe. About history. Sometimes about Bigfoot. What exactly is the purpose of having such a large foot?
The following list is comprised of the people I have bestowed this grand internet honor to and you can decide whether its based off the beauitful blogger or reader appreciation side of this dual award. Up to you. Decide its both, that’s a nice interpretation 😉
You have all been bitten with the blog award bug! Go forth and spread the joy!
Live Operations
Just got moved from the R&D department into Live Operations. Most people see this as a death sentence. But I see opportunity. Sitting at a desk, researching charges and trying to figure out how to make them a better experience is the worst. How was the visit? Did you return more than once? How would you rate the interaction on a scale of one to ten? The questions are endless. I’m sick of questions. I want to live! I want to play! I want to be an official imaginary friend.
The little one’s name was Taylor. Somewhere east of Missouri. I don’t quite know where as my means of travel does not exactly have road signs. It’s a perk of being invisible. Teleportation is more than theoretical. She was inside her dog’s house in the quaint backyard, covered by a canopy of hydrangeas when I was called to her side.
“Maurice,” she called out. “Get the doggy!” It goes without saying my name isn’t Maurice. Nor do I have the horns and a tail she imaged me with. I could image it myself, how cumbersome they would be. And seriously? Polka dots on my skin? That’s where I draw the line. But her creativity put a smile on my face. I floated over the yard to the sand pit where the dog was wrestling a stuffed bear.
Thank goodness pets can sense me, otherwise I’d be out of luck in convincing young Taylor I was real. With a nudge at the dog’s haunches, it sprang up. The snarl on its lips faded into a happy, panting smile as its wide brown eyes fell upon me. “Get goin,” I said, shoving the dog in the way of his petite owner. Her fluted dress was picking up dirt faster than her dog, who rerouted himself into the flowerbed.
And the troubleshooting begins. In an instant, I was looming over the spontaneous pup, glaring as strongly as I could. “Maurice!” Taylor called out, trailing the “eese” far longer than it needed. My swatting hand only spooked the dog further, sending it galloping playfully across the fenced in yard. I pressed my fingers into my temples and decided how to handle the rambunctious pet. With force.
With the dog wiggling in my grasp, I carried him across the yard, waiting outside the entry to the dog house for Taylor to see I completed my task. Her bright blue eyes spotted the hovering dog and she grinned a smile filled with missing teeth. Dropping the furry friend, he was instantly excited by both Taylor and myself, stealing glances back and forth. “You’re great, Maurice,” she said. That’s the beauty about Live Operations. Kids don’t ask questions.
Very Inspiring Blogger Award
My super awesome friend Markedforpower (you can find her blog here) was kind enough to nominate me for this award. Things like that happen when you have juicey blackmail hanging over someone’s head. I mean…when you have an inspiring blog xD Seriously though, this is such a wonderful honor and I’m more excited to be able to pass it along!
Here are the rules:
1) Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
2) List seven random things about yourself.
3) Nominate other blogs.
4) Notify the nominees.
5) Put the award logo on your blog.
I removed the number of blogs to be nominated because it’s just not happening. I have chosen some exceptional people, though! So before you find out about them, here’s a little bit about me:
1) I spent the last two weeks obsessively watching the Olympics. It’s always so inspiring to see humans come together and compete with their amazing talents.
2) I can’t play a musical instrument and not learning is one of the biggest regrets of my childhood. Always time in the future though!
3) I am afraid of heights, but I love flying.
4) The collective days of my parents’ and brother’s births put together end up being my birthday.
5) My favorite seasons are autumn and spring because of the outstanding beauty.
6) I am a planner and although I like being sponetaneous at times, other people’s spontanity drives me crazy.
7) I’m a fiercely loyal friend. I love them to death and won’t let anyone mess with my peeps.
The people I’d like to nominate for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award are some of the best writers out there. Reading their blogs always drives me to smile, think or do, so without further suspense, here they are:
The fizzygrrl blog is obviously the location for a smile. It’s written by a wonderful writer named, Summer. The smiles are sort of implied! I love her quirky rants and life discussions that writers deal with on a daily basis. Check it out!
Tiana writes such thoughtful pieces about writing or stories that constantly challenges what you think might be true or not. It’s a great blog for inspiring you to use your critical thinking skills!
Want to be inspired to do something? Visit Dee’s blog and you’ll get yourself in gear. Whether its contests, conference or writing tips, she’s got the information and displays it in such an approachable and inspiring manner.
Congrats, ladies!
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Pitch Wars Mentee 2014
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