Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Sons of Day & Night Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Sons of Day & Night

Author: Mariposa Aristeo

Genre: YA Fantasy – Retelling of The Prince and the Pauper

Release Date: November 18, 2025

Not even death can tell them apart.

In the wild and lush kingdom of Twinsbane, everyone has a look-alike, and each twin is cursed to die when their double breathes their last. When an ancient plague arises, the kingdom’s only hope is to sever these deadly ties. Yet King Daccias refuses to relinquish the cure, a legendary potion called the Separator.

Waruu, an orphan determined to break these ties, discovers he’s the king’s doppelgänger. He’s certain that if he can switch places, he can save the kingdom. But if anyone learns his true identity, he’ll lose everything—including the people he’s desperately trying to protect.

King Daccias wants nothing more than for his subjects to cease threatening to behead him if he doesn’t hand over the Separator. Intent on catching those opposing him, he finds himself ensnared in his own trap. If he doesn’t break loose, the kingdom will rest in the hands of an insolent boy who knows nothing about the truth behind the events unfolding around him.

To save their kingdom, both Waruu and Daccias must face their greatest enemy—each other.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mariposa Aristeo is a writer of fantastical adventures filled with heart, humor, hope, and sometimes dinosaurs. But, most importantly, she’s a creative who seeks to glorify God on every page of her life. Besides writing snarky characters who sass everybody, Mariposa loves bringing stories to life in full color as an illustrator. She also enjoys inspiring other creatives as the Public Relations Director at Story Embers and the Social Media Manager at the Young Writer’s Workshop.

More from Mariposa

How could I refuse to write a retelling of The Prince & the Pauper?

(Kudos to all the zillennial girls who get that reference.)

Ever since I watched the Barbie rendition of this classic tale when I was just a little girl, this story has been on my heart. As I grew older, other more adventurous tales influenced me, such as Dreamwork’s How to Train Your Dragon, Jennifer Nielsen’s The False Prince, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, and more recently, Star Wars’ The Bad Batch.

But no matter the story, one aspect stayed the same—finding people just like me in the unlikeliest of places.

Growing up, I had a different childhood than most. I was pretty isolated with little to no friends, and not much extended family. It wasn’t until my twenties that I met the people who would later become my true family. They weren’t blood relations, and we didn’t interact in person until years later (yay for internet friends!). We are different in all the best ways but the same in the ways that matter and weird in the way that makes life interesting.

The Prince & the Pauper is a story about many things. Empathy, compassion, and learning what it’s like to live in another person’s shoes. When I set out to write Sons of Day & Night, I wanted to pay homage to this underrated tale while deepening the bond between the two very different (but also very alike) heroes. It’s not just a story about switched identities, it’s a story about the family we find even when our world is falling apart.

When my mom passed away from cancer in 2022, I felt like my world truly was falling to pieces. Besides losing a parent, I also lost what little I had of a normal family. But my found family came together to be there for me and be the family I never had.

We don’t share the same genetics, but they are every bit as much my brothers and sisters. As Stitch once said, “This is my family. I found it all on my own.”

Fast forward a few years, and I now live within 60 miles of my found family and see them almost every week. It’s funny to think how a few internet strangers became such a huge part of my life, but sometimes God sends us family in the places we least expect it.

And my hope is that Sons of Day & Night will remind you that there’s always someone out there just like you.

MY REVIEW

The story starts out lighthearted but don’t get comfortable. This is the beginning of a dark road where power and darkness wants to rule. It is interesting that people are supposed to to have a doppelgänger. How strange would it be to walk into a store and standing there in the aisle is your double?

Welcome to Twinsbane where your double can either be good for you or not. The author grabbed my attention as I began to travel with our characters on a journey filled with twists and danger. The attitude of some of the characters really irritate me. They seem to have no respect and use their so called power to scare others. They want to be in charge but the author does give us some funny moments that balance the story well.

Waruu is going to be a delight to follow. His mission is clear but has he thought it through? His plan involves the King who thinks he doesn’t have to answer to anyone. Sounds like someone takes his power too far at times. I was shocked to learn that the King was only eight years old when he was crowned. Now that he is fifteen he still doesn’t get the respect he thinks he deserves. Have you ever had a boss who was younger than you? It can be a challenge but I have always respected whoever was in charge. Of course that doesn’t mean I agreed with everything.

The author creates a world where everyone has a double. There may be some downfall to doubles though. They can’t live to the fullest because unfortunately one of them has to die. What a sad thing to have to deal with. It’s like a black cloud hovering over you.

King Daccias is pretty clever for his age. As there is a meeting going on Sons of Night sit on one side and the Day doubles on the other. I laughed when Brissbane tells those in attendance, “ our honorable king, still being underage and lacking experience, has decided to refrain from joining the proceedings.” To his surprise someone shouts out” Bravo.” Guess who said that?

With a retelling of The Prince and the Pauper the author achieves a unique place where a tonic becomes the treasure everyone wants, a king that refuses to do what is right and a takeover that causes danger. This story has all the elements of a fantasy at its best. I can’t wait to read the next in this exciting series.

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