The people of the Archipelago of Cynnahu are used to war. Aeons ago their ancestors conquered the old continent, wresting it from the native Dragonkin whom they wiped out in a land-shattered conflict. Then, five hundred years later, new invaders arrived from the unknown south, the mireborn Naga, the snake-folk of Nag Isle who the Cynnahu folk have been ceaselessly fighting in the millennia since.
But nothing prepared then for what was about to happen. A time foretold by an ancient Seer and Archmage speaks of a time when the Archipelago must fight its Last War against the Naga, a time when five heroes – Traveler, Orphan, Survivor, Student, and Lord – will set sail to rediscover the secret of the Elder Song.
Only they are not heroes. They are Myrriden, the footsore mage and single father. Sakura, an orphaned and homeless girl seeking vengeance. Volcan Darkrod, the enigmatic Fire Mage. Emrys, Myrriden’s nervous son. Archmage Hoth, the unflappable Leader of the Cynnahu folk.
Guided by an ancient riddle recently uncovered by the famed Loremaster Aneirin, these chosen five must a run a race of swords, spells, and dusty scrolls – for while the Elder Song was crafted to summon the primeval power of the Dragonkin to save the Isles, it has, down to its very name, been forgotten. Will the courage and wits of two eleven-year-olds and three vastly different mages be enough to free purposefully hidden secrets from forces older than the Isles themselves and reunite the scattered Song while fighting a desperate war on land and sea? Only two things are certain: where swords fail scrolls may prevail, and that humanity stands at doom’s edge and time is against them.
Targeted Age Group:: Grades 5 – 12
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
Ursula K. Le Guin, whose Archipelago in her Earthsea Cycle inspired me to create my own. Cynnahu is an Archipelago because I noted while reading Earthsea that few other Fantasies feature them, and none in the way Le Guin does. Furthermore, as an inveterate Fantasy reader I know the common (and uncommon but still recognizable) tropes and tricks of Fantasy literature, hence I desired to write to either move past them or give them a new coat of paint so as to make them fresh, enjoyable, and unpredictable.
I also have something of a bone to pick with the grimdark sub-genre, so the Cynnahu Saga became my answer to the needless slaughters and cynical nature it. I strive to show the horror of war without resorting to graphic violence, to show the depths of all human feelings and the human condition without featuring rape or rampant dishonor.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
Most simply came to me, as cliche as that sounds. However, I tried to have them represent something I felt needed a voice.
*Archmage Hoth is my idea of an ideal leader. Stern and logical, yet unfailingly kind.
*Myrriden the Traveler is a single father who is not afraid to show how much he loves his son and surrogate daughter. He represents rank, power and skill coupled with humility.
*Emrys is not unlike myself at 11, nervous and following the rules fervently, yet possessing an inner flame and smarts. He is not the stereotypical brash "boys will be boys" hothead but rather a deeply thoughtful yet under-confident lad.
*Sakura is a girl who had everything she loved taken from her in an instant, and now seethes with a need for vengeance. She represents trauma that takes time to heal, but is smart and would fight to the death to defend her still living friends.
*Volcan the Fire Mage is the mysterious figure you can utterly trust yet who keeps surprising you, because every good Fantasy needs such a character.
*Stormlady Mica is a master warrior and battle commander, because there are not enough swordswomen leading the vanguard in Fantasy.
*Loremaster Aneirin is the scholar-detective who represents the historian in me. A man who uses is knowledge of history and research abilities to aid his land.
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