About the Book

Book Title: Sword in the Stars

Author: Wayne Thomas Batson

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Release date: August 16 ,2017

The difference in their uncanny eyes could not be easily discerned. In the rays of the setting sun, both Aravel’s and Morlan’s eyes appeared gold. In the pale moonlight…yellow. Seemingly the same. Such inscrutable likeness is the way of things with identical twins. But all who knew the two brothers well noted unmistakable differences, peculiarities more experienced than seen. Those who stood before King Aravel’s gaze felt the glad firelight of a cozy inn. But those who fell under Morlan’s stare felt the gleam of winter moonlight on the cold, white stone monuments in a boneyard. FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE DOOR WITHIN TRILOGY comes an epic tale of two powerful kings whose rivalry threatens to tear the world of Myriad apart. Into this chaos of treachery and war, strides ex-assassin Alastair Coldhollow whose quest for redemption leads him to the one foe he cannot defeat with a thrust of his sword. Everything may hinge on an age-old prophecy, but after thousands of years, will the Sword appear in the Stars at last? With the aid of Abbagael Rivynfleur, a not-so-naive girl from the forest villages, Alastair will tread forgotten roads, face legendary creatures, and meet mysterious new races of people, all in an effort to find Myriad’s Halfainin. So begins the sweeping seven-volume Myridian Constellation. Read on to discover what happens when the Sword is in the Stars, and the moon is blood red…

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Wayne Thomas Batson is the Bestselling author of seventeen adventure novels including the fan favorite: Door Within Trilogy, the pirate trilogy: The Isle Chronicles, the 7-book fantasy epic: Myridian Constellation, and a supernatural thriller series for adults: GHOST: The John Spector Missions. Batson credits God for every concept, story, word, and phrase (“Except the mistakes,” Batson says. “Those are all me.”) Happily married for 25 years, Batson and his wife have four adult children and make their home in Carroll County, Maryland.

A middle school Reading and English teacher for 27 years, Batson loves to challenge—and be challenged by—his students. So, when he began writing stories to supplement the school district’s curriculum, it was his students who taught their teacher a lesson. Batson’s students were so taken by one of the stories that, over a thirteen-year span, they pushed him to make it into a full-length novel. That story became The Door Within. Since then, Batson’s students continue to be his frontline editors. Says Batson, “Two things you can count on from middle school students: Intelligence and Honesty. Kids are so much more perceptive than a lot of us ‘Big Folk’ give them credit for. And when something’s not right in the story, they’ll tell you about in very clear terms.” With over half a million books in print, Batson believes his books appeal to so many kids and adults because, at a deep level, we all long to do something that matters, and we all dream of another world.

Deep in the depths of imagination is a story that I was challenged with. It was hard at first for me to follow all the creatures and mystical beings. There were times when the battles were graphic but for me it added just the right amount to vividly see the adventure unfold. I really liked the battle with the dragon at the beginning of the story. The author has a way with   descriptive words which place readers  in the arena watching as one by one the dragon prevailed.  

I suddenly found myself really into the story as Alistair became this person who seemed lost and hoping for forgiveness from his past. He is a worthy opponent and does have a soft side which he tries to hide from others.  There is definitely darkness throughout the story and a vast array of creatures that would scare anyone. I began to wonder what all these battles, kings and creatures where trying to project. These are just my thoughts and maybe someone else will see the story in a different way. Alistair is always looking for Halfanin. He is always seeking for that someone, a being , anything that would forgive him. Isn't that what we do? We want forgiveness, but at times don't realize that God is right there waiting with arms wide open. 

There is another part in the story that took my breath away. Lady Abbagael is quite the character. Alistair has called on her to help with a baby he has been given to protect. There are a few laughs when they banter over how to take care of the baby. The most significant part for me was in the midst of the battle, the baby who seemed to be covered in blood was unharmed. Perhaps what Alistair had been searching for all this time, was right there in front of him. A mere infant clothed in cloth, innocent and yet full of hope. 

I fell in love with the Willowfolk and wanted to be in their presence. They had an aura of peace around them, but were fierce when protecting each other. The author has written such a wonderful story that takes readers on a journey like none has ever imagined. The genius of the authors' writing has surpassed many others who write in this genre. It is brilliant and the ending is nothing short of epic. I have become a fan although at first I was overwhelmed by all the characters in the book. Well done story and a series of battles make this book a must read. Don't miss your chance to read a book rich in imagination and filled with truths and lessons.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Guest Post from Wayne

Wayne Thomas Batson here. If you’re wondering why I always use my middle name, no, it’s not because I want to sound all stodgy or literary. Thomas is my father’s name. I’ve always wanted to honor him by using the name in my author name, esp. now because he passed away in 2015. If you’ve been reading my books for a while, you probably think The Door Within is my first book. Technically, however, it is not. The concept for Sword in the Stars actually popped into my head before The Door Within. The book actually appeared in two parts: Alastair’s story and Ariana’s story (from Errant King). At first I just didn’t realize they were both in the same HUGE story. In the meantime, Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins published The Door Within Trilogy, and I kept getting contracts, keeping me from Sword in the Stars until 2012. But God was pretty insistent about the story because I kept getting flooded with ideas for what will eventually become the 7-Book Myridian Constellation series. Seriously, you should see the looks I get at church when I sit down during worship to scrawl story ideas on the back of a church bulletin!

Blog Stops

The Lit Addict, October 27

Bibliophile Reviews, October 28

Book by Book, October 29

Aryn the Libraryan, October 30

A Baker’s Perspective, October 30

A Reader’s Brain, October 31

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 1

Multifarious, November 2

Blogging With Carol, November 3

Bigreadersite, November 3

Inklings and Notions , November 4

Artistic Nobody, November 5

Texas Book-aholic, November 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 7

Janice’s Book Reviews, November 8

Carpe Diem, November 9

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Wayne is giving away a grand prize of The Official Bat Book Box O’ Mystery (including some one of a kind, early handwritten drafts of my published books)!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d4ec/sword-in-the-stars-celebration-tour-giveaway