An Unusual Concept
SUL is something else (in a great way!) and An Ocean of Others for your Thursday indie feature
SUL is a very interesting concept, and one I can get behind: it’s a crowdfunded fantasy book full of illustrations (the Kickstarter has yet to be announced, but it’s supposed to be coming later this year). With the unbelievable success of Brandon Sanderson’s Kickstarter, there’s definitely room in the self-published and indie space for people to find their audience and find eager supporters. Giving something in return for their money is definitely where SUL is going to shine, I think. And these characters look awesome! Check them out! The art is definitely up to par with some of the best in the industry.
I love supporting projects like this, and I’m excited to see where the team go in the future.
Now for your regularly scheduled program…
Next for our Indie Author Feature Week is Josh S Edwards’ An Ocean of Others. The book isn’t out yet, but you can preorder here. I love this book, truly. Grim is the shining star, but the other characters get their moments in the sun. The struggles of mental health is definitely something I sympathize with as well (I won’t spoil anything, though, you’ll have to find out what I mean by reading it!). It’s truly a gorgeous cover as well by Félix Ortiz.
Here’s the blurb:
REMEMBER WHAT'S REAL OR YOUR HEAD WILL BE THEIRS
Survival is never easy, but it’s never been harder for Grim, the last bounty hunter in Liwokin. He survived the Great Riot that killed Liwo by the thousands, endured the bloody chaos that ruled the city in its aftermath, and avoided the crushing fist of the Agency created to quell the unrest. Rule of law returned, but following the rules doesn’t put food in your belly.
On a job gone wrong, Grim stumbles into a conspiracy that targets Ulken, the Head of the Agency, a man who has done more to ruin Grim’s life than any other. Struggling to earn honest coin, Grim plans to use this information to rise quickly through the ranks of the organization so an empty purse never worries him again. He becomes a Finger of the Agency, joining a sardonic ranger, two fugitive siblings, a stone-skinned Skardwarf, and a powerful dark mage—none of whom know any better than Grim what they’ve gotten themselves into.
Grim’s Hand soon discovers the Agency’s furtive work is far deadlier than hunting bounties. While fighting to save his home from monsters who once were men, Grim discovers the conspiracy runs deeper than just Ulken and the Agency—what was unleashed is spreading, and if Grim’s sanity doesn’t prevail, it will consume the minds of the Bright Empire and beyond.
Graciously, Josh has provided me with an advance copy, and my review is up on my Goodreads, but I’ll post it here:
eARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers follow:
An exciting debut. There were moments I wish the writing could've captured my attention a bit more. The action was tight and well-paced, and brutally realistic, which I loved. The worldbuilding felt a little clumsy at times, and I wish we explored the Agency a little more naturally, but mostly it was done well, and each of the positions being named after body parts was interesting and well received.
The ending left me satisfied and interested in the next book. I'll be watching for Edwards' next work.
You can preorder the book here.
I hope you’re as excited as I am for the last day of the Indie Author Feature Week tomorrow.