Howdy!
I have returned from my new and improved super-sporadic posting schedule to bring you another author interview! (Let’s all just be amazed at how well I say that I’m going to get back on schedule and then….don’t…) But I actually have a post ready to go for next week as well and it involves dragons, sooo..
BUT today, we talk about water-magic! (I almost called it water bending. I’m watching Avatar: The Last Airbender for the first time so it’s on my brain!)
I’m helping to spotlight a new release from C. W. Briar and Uncommon Universes Press! Whispers From the Depths is a dark fantasy that’s pitched as Beowulf meets Frozen. And it’s awesome! I got an ARC in the mail Monday and I read it on Monday. Seriously. So goooood!
Go check out my pic on IG and my mini review!
About the Book!
Joyful and blessed are Voice-bearers, for the Heavens have set them apart.
As Whisperers gifted with the Voice, Betka and her people are enslaved. Only they can control the dangerous spirits that haunt the waters, but they are forced to serve under cruel taskmasters. Betka has little hope of freedom from her service or her own bitterness.
They toil for the goodness of others.
A powerful water spirit terrorizes the castle where Betka’s sister is serving. Betka is assigned to the crew sailing to face the foe, and she fears for the only family she has left.
Rage is found nowhere in them.
In the beleaguered, flooded castle, a new threat awaits—a magic more powerful and horrifying than anything they have ever seen. Loyalties will be tested, and enemies will become desperate allies.
Betka is their only hope of escape—if she can subdue the wrath that endangers them all.
She who wields the waters for revenge drowns herself tenfold.
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Author Interview!
1. Give us one fun fact to introduce yourself!
My day job is systems and test engineering. I once got to participate in low gravity flight test and float in an airplane.
2. As someone who doesn’t really like flying, that sounds a little horrifying. 😀 What is one of your favorite elements from Whispers From the Depths?
I love the flexibility and danger of the water magic. When I pitched the story, I mentioned I had found new ways to kill people with water.
3. Haha! Love it! Can you share any enticing worldbuilding tidbits (if this is possible without spoilers!)
Hmm. Lookup the names of the various Whisperers, the ones who control water. There’s a bit of an Easter Egg there.
4. *Hurries off to look up all the names* Which one of your characters would you spend the day with, and what would you do?
I feel so bad for the Whisperers, that I would love to take them away from their troubles, even for a day. But for my sake, I would love to hang out with Kuros. He’s a lot of fun.
5. Ooh! I’d love to hang out with Kuros too! How long do you think you’d survive the plot of this book? 🙂
Being that I don’t have water magic, I’d probably fade to the background of a regular town. But if I was caught up in the danger that Betka and the others face … yeah, no chance of survival here. It’s a question of how quick and how painful.
6. Yeaaah…I’m not sure I’d last too long either…You get two books and a movie to keep you company for the next year. What do you pick?
I’m reading House of Leaves. Gimme that because (1) I want to finish it, and (2) it will last a long time. I also plan to get to Sanderson’s Words of Radiance. You’ll notice me emphasizing books that last a long time.
For a movie, can I pick a series instead? I’m impatiently awaiting Stranger Things season 3. If not that, I’ll take Return of the King (Extended Edition of course). That never gets old.
7. YAS to the Stormlight Archive books!!! And Stranger Things 3! Although ROTK is always a solid go to. Name one book who’s ending you would change.
I read Stephen King’s IT. There’s a rather infamous scene near the end that EVERYONE agrees has no business being there. I think even King has later stated he would change it. I’ll do the world a big favor and erase it forever.
8. You are stuck in an elevator with only three magic buttons. Floor 1 puts you on a planet of cats. Floor 2 opens into a hanger full of X-wings. Floor 3 opens into an underwater kingdom with a seahorse offering to be your guide. Which do you choose?
Hmm, I’m a dog person, so not 1. Remember that first question, the one where I mentioned being part of a test flight? Yeah, give me that. I’ll take 2 and be totally irresponsible with my sweet new ride.
And weirdly enough, even though I said I don’t like flying or planes, I’d totally fly an X-wing!
About C. W. Briar
C.W. Briar writes fantasy that’s dark but hopeful, filled with wonder and humor along with the suspense and creepiness. His favorite stories are the ones that make him both smile and perch on the edge of his seat. By day, he works as a systems engineer, testing or even riding on trains, airplanes, and helicopters. At night, when not writing, he prepares fancy dinners and shows off his awesome corgis. He’s a graduate of Binghamton University and lives in Upstate NY with his wife, three kids, and secret stashes of chocolate.
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Thanks to C. W. Briar for stopping by! Go check out his amazing new book. It’s an enthralling dark fantasy that draws you in and somehow still manages to heal your soul. It has all my favorite things – family, redemption, and light in the darkness. So go forth, my peeps. You and your TBR need this book!
C.M. Banschbach 