THE FINALE IS FINALLY OUT!!
Five Star Review from Readers' Favorite
"Blossom of Gold is a work of epic fantasy fiction with plenty of action and conceptual delights and was penned by author Ellie Raine. The fifth and final novel in the NecroSeam Chronicles series,this ending to the saga contains some mild profanity and graphic violence, which makes it largely suitable to adult and mature YA readers alike. In this darkly conceptualized world, we are introduced to Reapers and the undead alike - though the undead are mutated demons from whom the seam of life (the titular NecroSeam) has been left uncut. Theundead are about to be unwittingly enslaved to fight a war that could bring about the End of Existence, with twins Xavier and Alexander standing right in their path. Author Ellie Raine has developed a truly superb and fully engrossing fantasy world like nothing I've ever read before. The concept of Grim Reapers and undead demons may not seem new, but through Raine's intelligent revisioning and extensive work in lore and world building,this world filled with dark realms, nature, life, and death is one that is completely realized and totally unique. The action for twin brothers Xavier and Alexander comes thick and fast as the end draws near, and the use of prophecy and magical quests feels apt and authentic, not trope-like or overdone. This makes for a truly compelling adventure novel with dark twists everywhere, and some truly frightening images that stay with you long after reading. Overall, Blossom of Gold is a superb work that is highly recommended for fantasy fans everywhere."
Review by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081J74F5B
This past decade has been quite a journey for me. It’s been thirteen years full of fun adventures, vigorous study, challenging obstacles, leveling wordcraft, and personal growth in my life and these characters. In the time I’ve spent composing this series, I’ve gone to college (hopped around 3, to be exact), took on several smaller jobs in journalism and editing, joined a rock band with my honorary family (love you guys!), married the love of my life, and had a beautiful daughter (our little dragon princess). After everything I’ve been through while writing this story, I’ve learned two vital lessons:
1. There is no right answer. 2. Listen to your heart, not someone else’s.
This series, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, has been one enormous experiment in the study of this pliable medley of addictive chaos we call “creative writing”. At times, this craft can seem like an exercise in futility. We’re insane enough to wrangle an ever-shifting ruleset of a wild language and, like the hopeless romantics we are, believe we can bend it to our will like a pilfering ferret determined to fit a whole raw steak in his tiny belly. I’m sorry to report that, in fact, we cannot.
I’ve spent years learning how to write, attended classes and workshops in creative writing and editing—and perhaps the most frustrating thing about this subject is realizing that, no matter how much you study and analyze its mechanics and techniques, everything you’ve learned could be considered obsolete the next year (what even is the latest number of spaces one should put after a period? Are we still at one, or have we tossed that out alongside the previous two?) Sentence structures, verbification, personification, “showing” versus “telling”, using sensory words with punch to them in favor of more passive words… it’s easy to get caught up in the technicalities of this craft and completely miss the bigger picture:
Are you enjoying what you write?
I’ve used this question to guide me through every story I’ve tackled. If I started yawning, I ditched the original plan and started again in a new direction—one that got my blood pumping and my fingers blurring over the keyboard with giddy cackles. And now that this series is finally coming to a close, I can say without a doubt that I am immensely proud of myself. Proud that I did right by my heart, and proud that I’ve had the honor of creating—and completing—something that means so much to me. There were times I thought I’d never make it to the end of this adventure, yet here I am. All the doubts, depression, grim desires to let it all end just to stop the terrifying noise from the outside world when agoraphobia flared during its worst times… the only thing that got me through those moments was the overpowering fear of never finishing this project. Luckily, strangely, ending this series seems to have given more meaning to life as a whole. I guess that’s what I’d been searching for all this time. I just couldn’t find it until I chipped away the debris and uncovered the sculpture underneath. Funny how our characters can teach us the most valuable lessons life has to offer. And those are lessons I’ll carry with me as I continue my journey with new stories to come, some in the world of Nirus and some elsewhere.
Whatever comes next, I’ll always be sure to have fun along the way—and I hope you will, too.