The Sylvalla Chronicles
by
A.J. Ponder
I adore Terry Pratchett and Niel Gaiman. Discworld. Good Omens. American Gods. All great works of fantastic preposterous fiction.
When I read the description of A.J. Ponder's book Quest, I knew I wanted to narrate it. (Plus I adored the cover artwork!)
That was about 1 year ago as I write these words. Sometimes if you put the energy out there, something great will come of it. I've loved working with A.J. this last year to get the Sylvalla Chronicles out on audio. If you like fantasy, with a healthy dose of self aware absurdity, I think you're in for a treat.
Sylvalla escapes Avondale castle and the life of a princess, in search of the adventure she’s always wanted – but once found, adventure bites back.
Fortunately, she is not alone. Unfortunately, her new-found companions are less than heroic. Jonathan would rather make money. Dirk would rather live a long and happy life. And at 150, old Capro would rather stop gallivanting, and harangue unsuspecting wizardry students about his glory days over a nice cup of tea.
Quest has everything—heroes, monsters, chases, escapes and a complete lack of true love.
Prophecy
After the death of her father, Princess Sylvalla swears revenge. An oath the wizards Capro and Jonathan fear will unleash terrible power. Sylvalla has no time for their prophecies, she must take up the mantle of Queen and save Avondale- but first she must survive the coronation.
Princess Sylvalla has faced dragons and proven herself a hero—but her greatest trials are about to begin. Phetero, the king she accidentally kidnapped, is determined to have vengeance—and the threat of marriage to Prince Francis looms. Francis may be sweet, have proven he can draw swords from stones, and be the only prince in all the Seven Kingdoms who will have her, but Sylvalla is not the marrying type.
Terrifying as it is, the threat of marriage is soon the least of Sylvalla’s problems as King Phetero’s grudge turns from war into something more sinister.
The prophecies are dire, but what help can they be against the ancient horror King Phetero plans to unleash?
Omens
“I’ve seen a thousand futures, a million deaths. Avondale will fall.”
Sylvalla would rather fight dragons than deal with politics. But as the unexpected queen of two kingdoms, her newfound power is making the neighbouring kings nervous. One by one, the kings fall for Sir Arrant’s offers of power and the beguiling butterfly jewels he offers in exchange for their alliance.
Determined to save her kingdom, Sylvalla is willing to try anything, including diplomacy. Only there is little time, and her dying mother, Tishke, has an important warning, “The demons are here. They have your brother.”
Meanwhile, back in Bairnsley University, the wizard Jonathan and his father discover the evil Dothie has freed the Nameless Gods—gods that are determined to destroy the one person that stands in their way…
…Sylvalla.
With the Seven Kingdoms turned against her, can Sylvalla save Avondale? Can she save her people, her brother, or even herself, from the demons who would possess them all?