Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the kingdom. But beneath her kingdom’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.
Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.
But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.
This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.
Terah Edun is an international development professional and author/lover of all things Young Adult Fantasy fiction. She is a native Georgian, adoptive Washingtonian, unrepentant expat currently living in South Sudan, brilliant dreamer, lover of dogs and not-so-closet geek. Her first novel, Red Madrassa, was released on November 8th and her second novel, Sworn to Raise, comes out in April 2013.
Chapter
1
Ciardis Vane
watched the townspeople jeering as the local Gardis strapped the highwayman
into the stocks. Frowning Ciardis wormed her way closer to the front of the
crowd, straining to get a peek at the criminal. She felt no pity for the condemned
man; he would die tonight, regardless of her feelings. The nightwolves were
already pacing, their shadowed forms just visible in the dense tree line,
waiting for darkness to fall.
Without the protection
of the house wards, the highwayman would be defenseless locked in the stocks. I wish I could say it will be a quick death,
she thought with clinical detachment, but
they'll probably go for his guts first. The man deserved no less than death
in any case; he had done nothing but steal from—and sometimes kill—those who
traveled the Imperial coach roads. "Stand and deliver," indeed!
Ciardis pushed back her
heavy brown curls with a sun-bronzed hand. Turning slightly to the side she
whispered about his crime with the other washer maids who'd come to see the
spectacle. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pinch on her wrist. Turning to see who
had interrupted her entertainment, she looked over and frowned down at the
younger woman who now stood by her side.
Wringing her hands
anxiously, Margaret looked up at Ciardis and gave a quick jerk of her head to
the side to indicate they should speak outside the crowd. "You'll want to
hear this firsthand, Ciardis," Margaret said with urgency.
"All right, all right,"
Ciardis muttered as they made their way out of the crowd and down to the washer
station with a few other girls trailing behind. The slight blonde woman who
scurried next to her was a great source of village gossip, and Ciardis knew that
whatever she had to say would be worth leaving the spectacle in the midst of
the judge’s punishment. To Ciardis, a
good piece of gossip was as welcome as spun gold...usually.
When they’d walked far
enough from the crowds Margaret was quick to tell Ciardis the news which she’d
heard from weaver’s daughter who’d heard it in the apothecary the day before.
Practically bursting
with the pent up the news Mags bounced on the balls of her feet as she said,
“Fervis and the caravan girl…they’re together
Ciardis.”
“They’re together?”
Ciardis said with disgust, “No, he’s with me.”
Mags shook her whole
head, curls bouncing every which way, in denial.
“They were seen, getting in a big fight and then…”
said Mags.
“So?” interrupted
Ciardis in disdain, “That means nothing.
Patiently the girl
continued ignoring the interruption, “And then the girl’s father came and
threatened to kill Fervis. One thing led to another and now they’re bound.”
This bit of news hit Ciardis
with all the weight of a lead brick.
“Bound?” questioned
Ciardis unsteadily. Bound was very different from together. Bound meant married, bound meant forever. Now she felt like throwing up.
Ends April 25th. Prize = one (1) eBook copy of
Sworn to Raise. Since I am feeling too lazy to crack open the rafflecopter, comment and tell me what you think about the book summary and/ or excerpt. I like the kind of heartless vibe i was getting from the excerpt. ;)
This book looks really unique, I like the concept a lot. :)
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