With no magic, no brawn, and no pirate crew, Zala seeks to steal back the one treasure that matters to her most: her husband. 
Book Trailer:
https://youtu.be/S54AnsEzPPQ
ANTOINE BANDELE IS AN AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR IN AFRICAN LITERATURE.
Rise and Fall of the Obsidian Grotto
Brief summary of the story: With no magic, no brawn, and no pirate crew, Zala seeks to steal back the one treasure that matters to her most: her husband.
African fantasy world inspired by mythology and folklore from the African diaspora and Pan African countries.
I’d definitely suggest hitting up the Seaborne Inn where you can get the best drinks—if not the best food. You’ll want to stop here mostly to get the lay of the land. There’s always gossip brewing about the latest on the island… just don’t piss off the brewmaster who frequents there or he might slip something nasty in your drink.
What dangers should we avoid on The Ibabi Isles?
Unless desolation and barren islands are your thing, I’d suggest staying far away from here. Some even say the lands are cursed by the merfolk who used to live near its depths.
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| Karim |
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Jultia?
In Jultia, you might be surprised to find that there are no forks or spoons or other eating utensils. Almost all food is consumed by hand or by a spongy sourdough called injera (inspired from real live injera from Ethiopia), which often wraps around meats and veggies during meals.
The thing about the Sapphire Isles… it’s an intersection of many other regions. You’ll see Northern straight swords, Eastern curved sabers, Ya-Seti recurved bows, and Southern Spears. While the kinds of weapons you’ll come across are diverse, the fighting style is all the same. Many on the isles call it the “palm wine dance”. Almost everyone seems half drunk when they fight one another, even in brutal competition like the fighting arenas near Port Zanziwala.
Though merely at the start of its major use, the Vaaji have started to construct airships to transport themselves from their coastal desert nation all across Esowon and beyond.
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| Shomari (a pakka) and Fon (an Aziza) |
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Esowon that we don’t see on Earth?
In Esowon, especially in the more densely populated cities and towns you might find an aziza (usually half or quarter). These diminutive fae creates come from the Kunda Jungles, but many of those who are half or quarter breed have been disbanded or exiled from the ancient jungle and forced to live among humans and pakka. The pakka, also known as cat-people, are more common than the aziza. They stand slightly shorter than the average human but they are far more dexterous and nimble.
Magic is a dying thing in the world of Esowon. In centuries past almost everyone had it, and almost everyone could do extraordinary things (i.e. manifesting storms/moving mountains/predicting the distant future). But during the timeline of By Sea & Sky, nations that were built on magic are looking for alternative ways to dominate… the primary focus being technology. Many marriages are now determined by how much magical blood is within the bride and groom.
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| Lishan |
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Esowon? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
Yes, the mentioned airships are new to the world of Esowon. These ships are fueled by old magic in the form of skyglass found throughout the world (usually compacted within old mountains).
The Vaaji favor a game called King’s Way, which is very similar to Earth’s chess. Southern Esowoni enjoy a game called stone and marbles, which is based on mancala.
Though Esowon has similar days and weeks to Earth, the people do not refer to months as months, but rather as moons. In fact, weeks aren’t weeks all the time. Sometimes, individuals (usually of the Old Faith) will say Àyá’s cycle instead of week. You see, this world has two moons. The big moon, or Yem’s moon, revolves around the world every 28 days, while Aya’s moon revolves around the planet every 7 days. So the people of the world have a perfect measurement of their weeks and months (yes, in reality this would break their world, particularly their ocean currents but… magic).
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| Jelani |
There are many religions in the world of Esowon, but the two focused in By Sea & Sky are Jo’bara (the Old Way) and al-Qiba (the One True Faith). Devotees of Jo’bara believe in the continued influence of the Old Gods, even though said deities have been gone for thousands of years. Devotees of al-Qiba only put their faith in one God name Shati (or Shati’ala if you use Her honorific). Shati is known to have given humans magic way back when humans were nothing more than primitives beating stones together. And thus, those of al-Qiba pledge faith to her, and her alone, as she gave humans not only magic, but free will, and more importantly, their inventive minds.
Currently the reigning “government” on the Sapphire Isles is the golden lord and his Golden Court. Under him are several tide lords who oversee the seven major isles of the Sapphire Seas. The political structure is based around a meritocracy of earning gold for the golden lord. It is the aspiration of many “aggressive entrepreneurs” (aka pirates) to bring enough plunder to Golden Lord Zuberi to be accepted to the Golden Court in Port Zanziwala. At this place, it’s said that a person can live well into old age without worry about coin ever… so long as Lord Zuberi likes what you bring him.
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| Zala |
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit the Sapphire Isles?
Were you to visit Port Kidogo or any of the smaller towns, there is an old tradition called Six-Nights which is a huge event when there is a major loss of life or an important figure has died. It might be better if I just leave an excerpt from the prequel novella, Stoneskin, about this tradition…
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| Issa |
I’ve certainly been inspired by my real-life research but not much in the way of my real-life experience (that’s reserved for my contemporary young adult novel I’ve also got).
There aren’t too many hot takes in this book unless you have an issue with same-sex relationships.
In elementary school, I kept filling out more notebooks with my stories. I was even brave enough to share those stories with friends during recess. The underside of the playground slide became my own library, but the only inventory was my books. They were stories about kung fu fighting teenagers who were stuck in their own dreams (still might develop that one day), or fan fiction covering my favorite franchises.Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
Are you an author of a sci-fi or fantasy novel that takes place in another world? Click here to find out about having it featured on Realm Explorers!
Author: M.L. Farb
Narrator: Neal Arango
Length: 8 hours and 59 minutes
Series: The King Trials, Book 1
Publisher: Maria Farb
Released: May 12, 2020
Genre: YA; Fantasy
In a land where stories of the Shadow Demon keep children shivering in bed and tales of the Yorel bring hope to the commoner, Yosyph is both the reason for their fear and their hope. By day, Yosyph appears nothing more than a mute tavern-hand. By night, he plans a revolution and slips through shadow, rescuing those marked for death by the xenophobic queen. When he learns that thousands of his people will be sent as slaves to the mines, he must choose — fight the royal army with an ill-prepared rebellion or journey to the land of his ancestors through the deadly King’s Trial. If he succeeds, he’ll win his kin’s loyalty and their help. His journey grows complicated when he rescues a maiden and enrages a prince, but if he doesn’t return with help in time, the people he’s loved and secretly served will be gone. Whitney Awards Nominee 2019
Ever since M. L. Farb climbed to the rafters of a barn at age four, she’s lived high adventure: scuba diving, rock climbing, and even riding a retired racehorse at full gallop–bareback. She loves the thrill and joy. She creates adventures, fantasy, and fairy tale retellings. “The writing style is smart and engaging. Brave young men, vivacious heroine. Vibrant world, exciting stakes… I’d recommend to fans of Blades of Acktar, The Queen’s Thief, and The Minstrel’s Song!” – H.S.J. Williams, author of Fairest Son “Her voice and storytelling were addicting.” – L.P. Masters A Whitney Awards Nominee 2019
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Amazon
Neal Arango has always had a great passion for performing and making people smile from a young age. His first role was Sneezy in a performance of Snow White in the 3rd grade. Ever since then, he pursued acting wholeheartedly, getting roles in high school plays and majoring in theater in college, as well as doing community theater. Reading books has always been another great passion, especially of the sci-fi and fantasy genre and after learning about audiobooks and learning he could do both of those, it has been like a dream come true to be able to truly do what he loves.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by M.L. Farb. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it. 
Yosyph:
Yosyph appears to be a mute tavern-hand by day, but by night he is the leader of a growing rebellion against the abuses of the crown. He is tall and lean, with swarthy skin and black hair. Whip marks scar his back. His green eyes stand out from his otherwise dark features. He prefers to speak with hand signs, but will use words when necessary. He’s a brilliant strategist, but also a loner. Most only know him by the title Yorel. And even those closest to him don’t really know him. If I were to cast him for a movie: A young version of Col. Brandon from Sense and Sensibility (Alan Rickman). Not because they look anything alike, but because the character has dry humor, is reserved and shy around people, confident in what is right, has a troubled past, and puts others’ needs above his own.
Halavant:
Prince Halavant is a “spoiled godling”. He is shorter and more muscular than Yosyph, with tanned skin and a face rounded by opulent living. He bleaches his blond hair and wears it in ringlets. Despite his dandy looks, he is adept at sword fighting and insults. His two main focuses in life are duels and his betrothed, Katrin. If I were to cast him for a movie: Young King Arthur from the TV series Merlin (I haven’t watched this series but several readers mentioned that Halavant reminded them of this Arthur). Another option could be Westley (Cary Elwes) from Princess Bride. And a bit of the temper of Capt. Boone (Cary Elwes) in the Jungle Book. Confident, cocky, and full of pomp.
Katrin:
Though short, with pale freckled skin and red hair reaching almost to her knees, Katrin isn’t small in personality. She goes through life with a fiery energy matching her hair. Her wit can lift or wound others. Don’t get in the way of her throwing knives. If I were to cast her for a movie: Eowyn from Lord of the Rings. Again not because of looks. She is courageous, opinionated, and impulsive. Doesn’t wait on someone else to tell her what to do.
Galliard:
An itinerant laborer, Galliard laughs his way through troubles and annoyances. He is sun-baked and topped with an untamed mop of sandy hair. His right hand is missing the pointer finger at the first knuckle. If I were to cast him for a movie: Miles Hendon (Errol Flynn) from the 1937 Prince and the Pauper. He’s an amused, kind, if disbelieving, protector. One reader compared him to Gandolf—wise and much more than he seems.
Farid: Bonus character glimpse
One reader compared him to a “dark Yoda” or a “dark Mr. Miyagi”. He’s wise but seems unpredictable. 
10 fun, random facts about M. L. Farb
- As a child, I couldn’t walk across a room. I danced, spun, skipped, ran, or otherwise moved, but I couldn’t just walk.
- I love climbing, rappelling, and horseback riding. But I hate roller coasters and bungee jumping.
- I lived in St Petersburg, Russia for half-a-year teaching English to kindergartners. I learned to wash my clothes in a bathtub, filter and boil my drinking water, and love my sweet, crayon-eating, kids.
- I have slight dyslexia. ‘b’ and ‘p’ sometimes flip flop on me. But it also means I can read a book upside-down.
- I love reading to my children. We’ve enjoyed books from Dr. Seuss to Les Misérables. Maniac Magee is one of our favorites.
- I’ve journaled almost every day since I turned seventeen. I capture conversations, descriptions, happenings, and quotes. I explore ideas. Through the years I’ve written well over a million words. It prepared me to become an author.
- Plumbing Repair is my nemesis. I’m grateful I don’t have to battle it very often. In the end, I always win, but I feel like I’ve fought an archvillain who pulled every dirty trick in the book, including Chinese water torture in claustrophobic conditions.
- I live with a vivid imagination. I dream in 3-D, technicolor, and occasionally with my eyes open. This is a bane when it comes to nightmares. I will not watch horror movies.
- The King’s Trial started as a bedtime tale I told my little sisters over twenty years ago.
- I have an accent. People often ask me where I’m from. Maybe it’s my reader’s accent. I’ve read out loud enough different books in character, that perhaps it stuck.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE!
AUTHOR BIO:
Cabernet would give almost anything to be remembered–except his freedom.
Cabernet wants to complete this mission quickly without actually facing the enemy, a dangerous enchantress who nearly killed him before. But sea perils and fearsome monsters blindside his every trick and turn. Moreover, he is somehow growing fiercely attached to the human tag-a-longs.
Author Bio
Rebekah Shafer is a thirty-something-year-old living in Georgia, USA, who got tired of spending an awful lot of time and energy trying to Be an Adult the Right Way.
Website: https://www.lanternleafpress.com/
Erik would give his life to protect King Jaymin. However, when an old enemy shows up with new schemes, that may not be enough.
Annie Douglass Lima considers herself fortunate to have traveled in twenty different countries and lived in four of them. A fifth-grade teacher in her “other” life, she loves reading to her students and sparking their imaginations. Her books include science fiction, fantasy, YA action and adventure novels, a puppet script, anthologies of her students’ poetry, Bible verse coloring and activity books, and a fantasy-themed cookbook. When she isn’t teaching or writing, Annie can often be found sipping spiced chai or pomegranate green tea in exotic locations, some of which exist in this world.
Author’s name:
Title of book and/or series:
Brief summary of the story:
Vasilisa has always been strong. She’s strong enough to break the arm of the bully that daily taunts her. She won’t because she and her mother are servants at the Orlov manor, and her mother would be punished for her retaliation. Instead Vasilisa bides her time until she is sixteen and can return to the forest.
Only Staver, the master’s son, shows her kindness. His friendship pulls as strong as the forest, but their classes are divided forever by law. She is a forest born, fatherless servant and her future at the manor holds mockery filled drudgery.
War threatens. The forest calls. Will she stay to protect the one who can never be more than a friend, or flee to the peace that the forest offers?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
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Snowy day on a bridge in St. Petersburg
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Ruska is a cold land. The people are strong, for they yearly fight winter. Those who win live to see another summer. Those who do not, find a home in earth that is frozen half the year. Come and enter a land of wolves and ogres, tsars and wars, and forests vast enough to hold whole nations. A land where the servant will always be the servant—unless. Come see.
If we were to visit Ruska as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
If you know some of the nobility, you will want to visit a manor house or even a palace. Their distinctive onion-shaped domes show from miles away, but it is the inside that is truly a marvel. Many Ruskan pass the long winter by creating beautiful carvings and paintings. Geometric paintings cover doorways and ceilings, intricate rugs and tapestries hang on the walls to help keep the cold away, and inlaid furniture grace the rooms. Watch for intricate clocks, like the one with a peacock that spreads its tail feathers.
If you are like me, the forest will draw you more than the palaces. Ancient forests spread across lands that could swallow whole nations. Birch and pine stretch above trillium. Peat bogs and meadows open to the sun. Otters play in streams, goshawks hunt, and shrikes sing their fierce evening song. These are not places to travel carelessly. Wolves, bears, and ogres roam the depths. Your visit may turn into a permanent stay.
What dangers should we avoid in Ruska?
The Scythians dwelling to the south live a nomadic life on windswept steppes. They are as fierce and unyielding as their land. If they decide to attack while you are visiting, flee. They sweep through, killing indiscriminately. A child is no safer from their sabers than a soldier.
Also avoid upsetting the nobility. They can be even more vicious and unforgiving than the Scythians.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Ruska?
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Door in St. Basil’s Cathedral
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Ruskans usually start the day with a slice of almost black rye bread slathered in butter topped by an equally thick slice of cheese or meat. On special occasions they take buckwheat (which isn’t a grain but rather the cousin of rhubarb), soak the seeds overnight, and the following morning cook it up in milk. It is rich, nutty, and has a chewy/creamy texture. You’ll never find anything else like it.
Other favorites: Borscht—a beet soup, Pelmeni—a dumpling stuffed with meat and onions, and Blini—a thin pancake eaten with jam and sour cream.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Ruska?
The longbow is preferred for both hunting and fighting. But it takes great strength to draw it. Some bows have 200-lbs draw weight. Imagine lifting a 200-lb weight with your arm, shoulder, and back, then holding it steady so the shot goes where you want it.
The Ruskan also use the Shasqua, a slightly curved sabre with a single edge. It is effective for both cutting and thrusting.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Ruska? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Some people are able to shape-shift. However if they shift their shape, they also shift to animal senses, though they retain their human thought. Depending on the animal shifted to the world changes color, the faintest liquid trail becomes visible in the ultraviolet range, scents overpower, and sound takes on new dimensions. It is overwhelming for the first time user of this magic.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Ruska.
The Hopak is an acrobatic dance, usually danced by men. It requires immense athletic strength, agility, and balance. It is often performed in celebration by soldiers, and has no set steps, rather the dancers compete against each other to see who can outperform the other. Some of the steps are squat and kick out legs, crouch with legs crossed and alternately touch knees to the ground, cartwheel, flips, and leaps.
What is the political or government structure in Ruska? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The tsar’s word is law. Each child from their first year of speech swears an oath to love, honor, and protect the tsar—not once but on each name day.
Within the manor the lord and lady have absolute control over their servants and slaves. There is no court that a servant can plead for justice against an unjust master. Marriage between social-classes is not only frowned upon, but illegal.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Ruska?
Many Ruskans love music, especially the balalaika, a triangular stringed instrument. It can be played like the guitar or the larger stringed instruments, like the bass.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
I lived in St. Petersburg, Russia for 6 months. I’ll never forget entering adulthood surrounded by a city and culture older than my home nation. And I’ll always remember the kindness and goodness of the people.
The idea for Vasilisa came from a children’s picture book Serpent Slayer: And Other Stories of Strong Women by Katrin Tchana. To save the man she loved, a woman disguised herself as a man and had to pass three tests of strength, skill, and strategy. The picture book took on tall-tale quality as the woman injured her opponents in wrestling and shattered a tree by shooting it with an arrow. How did she become so strong? I wrote Vasilisa to answer that question.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
This is what some of my readers are saying about Vasilisa:
“Public unrest, self-discovery, … and the choice to be good or evil.”
“Vasilisa must find the courage to face her deepest fears and challenge her deepest held beliefs about her past.”
Author Autobiography:
Ever since I climbed up to the rafters of our barn at age four, I’ve lived high adventure: scuba diving, hiking, climbing, and even riding a retired racehorse at full gallop—bareback. I love the thrill and joy.
Stories give me a similar thrill and joy. I love living through the eyes and heart of a hero who faces his internal demons and the heroine who fights her way free instead of waiting to be saved.
I create adventures, fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and poetry. I live a joyful adventure with my husband and six children. I am a Christian and I love my Savior.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
My books are available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback formats, plus one audiobook.
The King Trials:
The King’s Trial — Whitney Awards Nominee 2019
The King’s Trial audiobook (just released)
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Ruska. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
Are you an author of a sci-fi or fantasy novel that takes place in another world? Click here to find out about having it featured on Realm Explorers!
The Stones of the Spring are like crystal-lined geodes that filter out
Cerberus Cover Reveal!
Fantasy author A. R. Silverberry is stopping by today for a cover reveal of his forthcoming short story collection, Cerberus, Tales of Magic and Malice. To celebrate, he’s giving away prizes! And the book, available for pre-order, will be on sale for $0.99 from now until a short time after it’s released. To enter the contest, just use the handy Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post, where you’ll also find the pre-order link. But first, the cover!
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| Cerberus, Tales of Magic and Malice, by A. R. Silverberry |
From Master Storyteller
A. R. Silverberry
Nine Timeless Tales of Enchantment
Does Magic Exist? Discover the strange and curious events that unfold when …
- A belligerent bailiff has his fortune told
- A little girl searches for one last spell
- A reclusive actress receives a mysterious knock on her door
- An orphan fights to survive in the shadow of a menacing terror
Don’t stop there … a wizard, a friendless boy, a devil cat, and Shakespeare’s fairy queen lie within. From the boundless imagination of A. R. Silverberry, these irresistible tales conjure up a wondrous brew of MAGIC AND MALICE. FEATURING SEVEN ALL-NEW STORIES: Cerberus, Tangles, The Willow Sister, Titania, Blaze, and The Mask
From the Introduction:
Mystery and magic reside in both strange and mundane places. The same may be said of the heroes and heroines, big or small, who quest there as well as the beasts, human or otherwise, that they battle. Skeptical? Take a gander at the locales and folk that occupy the tales in this volume.
Three Steaks and a Box of Chocolates: Stuck in a desolate town and down on his luck, Doc Turner takes on a mysterious case. He gets more than he bargained for.
Cerberus: Bailiff Giles Dunstable is hell-bent on stopping the spread of superstition in his village. But his beliefs are sorely tested after the witch of the Hevyl Mountains reads his fortune.
The Willow Princess: Separated in childhood, two sisters struggle against a terrible enchantment to reunite and claim their birthright.
The Demon Monkeys: The mountain hides a secret. Deep in winter, the orphan girl Scamp fights to survive in the shadow of a menacing terror. When a stranger crosses her path, her life changes forever.
Tangles: Lessy needs one last spell. But it, like everything else, has faded.
Titania: After a mysterious encounter on her doorstep, a reclusive actress battles doubt and disability to take on her greatest role.
Blaze: In 1689, the lonely servant boy Davie fights to protect his one friend from the malice of a heartless earl.
The Tea Party: A dying Sir Wainwright offers his selfish sons one last invitation to tea …
The Mask: Jessica Lansing is certain her tyrannical methods will win her Teacher of the Year. But her plans start to unravel when little Christopher makes a singular mask.
This ’twas but a sip, dear reader. For the full spell, drink on …
Click this link to Pre-order the book from Amazon. It goes live on May 18!
Follow A. R. Silverberry:
About the Author:
A. R. Silverberry writes science fiction and fantasy for children, teens, and adults. His novels, Wyndano’s Cloak and The Stream, earned numerous awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Award gold medal for Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction. He lives in California, where he explores enchanted forests, searching for pixies and elves.