Storytellers On Tour is a Blog/Instagram Tour organising service. It was born out of Justine’s (Whispers & Wonder) and my love and dedication toward SFF indie books and authors. Our goal is to give as much exposure to our clients as we can, while we also build a community among our Roadies. Find out more about us on www.storytellersontour.online!
This past week we gave the spotlight to Kings and Daemons, the first book of The Gifted and the Cursed series by Marcus Lee. Our Roadies brought a wide selection of content to this show with reviews, interviews and guest posts. Now it’s time to bring the show to an end and it’s my pleasure to present you with the encore.
Shall we?
Writing hasn’t always been a serious hobby for me … but it has always been there, lurking in the shadows, serving me well when called upon.
As I look back over the years, I realise I was guilty of writing many short stories, as well as poetry, and I’d like to think, that even if they were never intended to be published, they were nonetheless warmly received by the intended recipients.
Then in 2019, I was inspired to write not just a short story, or poetry, but a book. Then, suddenly, one book turned into a trilogy and a labour of love, and it was a love I wanted to share with the world.
So, here we are. The pandemic that put my career in sport on hold also gave me the opportunity to lavish time on my alternative hobby, or if demand dictates my new career.
However, only you, the reader, will decide whether this trilogy, which is still a work in progress, will be the first of many. I genuinely hope so.
Who knows, now these creatives juices are flowing, I might just keep on writing anyway.
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Epic fantasy has been my favourite genre since I first read The Odyssey and The Illiad as a seven-year-old. Now it’s my turn to see if I can bring another world to life in the imagination of others.
A tale of conquest, dark kings, and daemonic heroes. A spellbinding story that will enchant you with its plot of ambition, love, betrayal, sacrifice and redemption.
Over fifty years have passed since Daleth the seemingly immortal Witch-King and his army conquered the Ember Kingdom.
Now, with the once fertile lands and its enslaved people dying around him, the Witch-King, driven by his insatiable thirst for eternal youth, prepares his forces to march on the prosperous neighbouring Freestates. It will be the beginnings of a conquest that could destroy nations, bringing death and destruction on an unimaginable scale.
Then, when a peasant huntress whose rare gift was concealed from birth is exposed, it sets in motion a chain of events that could alter the destiny of generations to come.
Click on the blog name to read their full review or other content!
AUGUST 9TH–THE WELCOMING
Whispers & Wonder – interview + IG spotlight
AUGUST 10TH
Gnoflet Reads – review
“One device in particular I noticed Marcus Lee excelled at was getting the reader into the character’s head. I really got a feel for each character’s motivation and what parts of their past had caused that motivation. There was also never a feel of “This person is bad because they’re the bad guy and that’s how it is.” Even the villains were well rounded characters, with motivation behind their actions.”
The Sword Smith – guest post
“Writing The gifted and the cursed trilogy was born from an idea that was long residing in my mind, but it took an interesting talk with my son as the catalyst to take the ideas from my thoughts and make them reality.”
@bibliomum – IG spotlight
AUGUST 11TH
Out of This World SFF Reviews – review
“In the end I came away feeling as if I read a very well-written fantasy epic that hearkened back to my very first reads in the genre. I enjoyed KINGS AND DAEMONS a great deal and would recommend it to both the seasoned fantasy reader and also those just starting out and wanting something to hook them on the genre. It has an accessibility that is unmistakable and should appeal to many readers. I look forward to reading many more books by Marcus Lee if this one is any indication of what is to come The sky is the limit as far as I’m concerned.”
Book Bustle – review + IG spotlight
“I thought the character arcs tied up nicely along with the narrative. Of course, being a series, there is more to come and I am absolutely excited for a continuation of this story! I would recommend this to any YA fantasy fans and any general fantasy fans. There is something for every reader in this book, plenty of action, a bit of romance, all of the fantasy elements, and an easy to follow plot that hooks you from the beginning!”
Sometimes Leelynn Reads – review
“I’m glad that this was the first book in a series because I feel like there could be so much more in this world, and I feel like Lee really set it up like that by the time you finish the novel. I found it quite enjoyable.”
AUGUST 12TH
Jorie Loves A Story – review
“One of the best lessons within Kings and Daemons is understanding friends from foes and right from wrong in how it applies to this world. Lee has a wonderful insight for readers of all ages about misconceptions and how we interpret what is happening round us and thereby affecting our actions thereater making a pointed look at how perception and reality might not always link arm in arm and that you have to amend how you react in the height of a crisis.”
Bookends & Bagends – review
“Marcus Lee can afford to paint his world in such brutally dark hues because he knows the splashes of colour he’s going to introduce in the form of his characters.
There is an abundance of exceptionally well-written characters in this book, though the central three of Maya, Taran, and Rakan work together in such vibrant harmony. These three especially, are such a font of positivity and optimism when they eventually start working together.”
@katsreadingcorner / Kat’s Reading Room – review
“This book basically has something for everyone! There’s action, a bit of romance (which was done very well), all of the fantasy elements that we know and love along with a few things that were new to me and I hadn’t seen before!”
AUGUST 13TH
Gwendalyn’s Books – review + IG spotlight
“What immediately grabbed my attention in this story was the complexity of the characters. As the characters were raw, honest, and flawed. The authors talent definitely shines when it comes to how interesting and fleshed out her characters are. Atmospheric imagery and vibrant imagery along with the right amount romance.”
Mind of Luxe – review
“Plot-wise, Kings and Daemons is the type of book you constantly crave the next chapter for. Honestly, the amount of times I said “one more chapter” and then ended up reading until dawn! And from the start, the author did an amazing job with the worldbuilding, really solid and it laid out the foundation for a spectacular story! Whenever I pick this book up, I immediately get sucked into its scary world. I literally gasp from time to time, because I got really immersed to the story and characters that my reactions for every revelation were magnified.”
AUGUST 14TH
The Book in Hand – review
“The magic in this book is satisfying to read, I love that it always comes with a cost and Marcus does a brilliant job at slowly showing you the rules of said magic. Without saying much I am really excited to see the costs of said magic for some of the characters, we find a few out in this book but I expect we may find out some others in the later books too.”
@myrelationshipwith – IG spotlight + review
“Kings & Daemons is a fun, thrilling fantasy story full of unexpected twists and lovable characters. Marcus Lee creates a world with his book that is both overwhelming and dazzling to the reader.”
Beneath A Thousand Skies – review
“The writing style flowed from start to finish, and it was one of those books that sweeps you along for chapters at a time, with the real-world disappearing. It was an easy, fast-paced read, without losing the depth and descriptiveness that I enjoy in fantasy, and I appreciated the skill with which information was delivered through the characters and dialogue so that even when that aspect was a little heavier at certain points, it felt so natural and believable that you are carried along.”
If you are interested in Kings and Daemons and would like to get in contact with Marcus Lee, you can find him on social media:
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