Andre, the Kingslayer by Aubrey T. Copeland-Review and Interview

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 3, 2019

The year is 1427. The Great Revolution has been raging for eight long years, effecting every aspect of life in the Isobellian Empire. Countless are dead, and thousands of families have been torn apart. But the Empire still has hope to be freed.

Andreas Bellbrook is the Kingslayer: a prophesied hero destined by fate to steal the legendary sword Excelsior from the Black King Tiberius. With it, Andre will end the war by killing the Black King despite his immortality.

But Tiberius has grown wise to the Kingslayer’s destiny, and will stop at nothing to see him killed.

Soon, Andre is swept into a war that he wants no part in, and the only way for him to survive is to join the national resistance and steal the legendary sword with their aid. Before long, Andre’s life will depend on their victory.

••••••••••

REVIEW:“The war was almost over.
After eight long years of endless battles, the king would soon be dead. The reign of Tiberius would be known as the darkest in the history of the Empire. Never before had a king been so hated, and never had such hatred been so deserved. But thanks to a man named André (also called “the Kingslayer”), the Black King Tiberius would soon be a memory…..”

Wow!!
That was really good. Although the footnotes that were added after each chapter, were a little confusing at first, but explained much without writing it into the story, so you could skip the footnotes and not really notice too much.

After eight long years the bitter war would soon be over. The most hated king in the Isobellian Empire was Tiberius. He was a cruel and vicious ruler.

Andre is professed to be a kingslayer. (Either a slayer of kings or going to be a slayer)

We then face a long and deadly gave of cat and mouse, Andre must find a special sword in order to kill the “Black King” looking forward clues as to the whereabouts of the sword, all the while avoiding the imperial knights looking to end the legend.

It’s really well written and flows seamlessly from one chapter to another.
The battles are described well. And we get that sense of urgency. Andre needs to find the sword. And he needs to fight the black knight

The supporting characters are written about well. We have a few, that seem more important, a princess that needs to be saved.

It has magical elements in the story also. Wizards, wands and spells. A ring that give the wearer immortality. And a sword that can kill a King!!!

Copy supplied for review

? Reviewed by Julie B

TRC: Hi Aubrey and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the recent release of ANDRE, THE KINGSLAYER.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please
tell us something about yourself?

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Aubrey: I am a writer from central Arkansas, who is always down for a good book and a nice beverage. I love animals. I love the simple things. And yes, that includes writing. 🙂

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Aubrey:Honestly, it was probably J.R.R. Tolkien. If he had never been published as a fantasy writer, it’s likely I never would’ve written a single word of fiction. So, you can blame my work on him, though only indirectly.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Aubrey:The biggest challenge was the editing process. It is so difficult to find an editor that’s worth the money. Aside from that, another challenge was funding the book’s publication (since I am an indie author). Self-publishing a book that’s a quality product isn’t an easy task. That’s for sure.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of  Andre, the Kingslayer?

Aubrey:It’s a high fantasy that focuses on a man named André. He is the subject of a prophecy that says he will end Isobellia’s civil war by stealing a religious artifact (a sword called Excelsior), and by killing the Black King Tiberius with it. In order to do this, André must befriend all sorts of interesting characters, but I’ll keep you in suspense on what kind of characters exactly.

TRC: Do you have plans to write a series focusing on the adventures of Andreas Bellbrook, the Kingslayer?

Aubrey:I don’t currently plan on writing a series. I have an idea for a sequel, but it’s so obscure at this point that it may not ever happen.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning Andre, The Kingslayer

Aubrey:That’s an interesting question. I spent virtually no time researching or plotting the book before I wrote the book, but I spent a ridiculous amount of time editing it after the fact. During that time, I did research that I should’ve done at the beginning to make the book better. The whole process took about thirteen years, which is ludicrous because it’s not a huge book.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Aubrey:I do. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but we all do it. So yes, the cover image is a crucial part of the book as a whole.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Aubrey:I’ve never really thought about it in those terms. Usually, I just come up with an idea and see where it goes. So, I suppose I do a little bit of both, depending on the story.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen?  Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Aubrey:I think you need to make the reader want to know more information. In a way, you should strive to make them curious about what is going on. I think that curiosity sells. If you can make them curious, you’ll make them want to keep reading.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Aubrey:I can’t write while listening to music. As someone with a severe case of ADHD, I find it way too distracting. So, no music has ever influenced the storyline of my books or my characters.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Aubrey:That writing a book is easy. In a way it’s very easy, but writing a book well—which is key—is quite difficult. If it was an easy task, I think more people would do it.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, knows about you?

Aubrey:I can blow bubbles with my tongue! 😀

TRC: Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?

Aubrey:That’s a tough one. There are so many good writers out there. I’ve always enjoyed J.K. Rowling and Brandon Sanderson, but I’ll go with J.R.R. Tolkien because he influenced the entire genre in which I am writing.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Aubrey:Still trying to figure out my next project! Let’s wait and see, shall we?

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Aubrey:The only thing I can add is a big thank you for taking the time to conduct this interview. It makes my job easier.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food Pizza 😀

Favorite Dessert Ben and Jerry’s

Favorite TV Show Smallville!

Last Movie You Saw Ad Astra

Dark or Milk Chocolate Milk

Secret Celebrity Crush Scarlett Johansson

Last Vacation Destination The Rocky Mountains

Do you have any pets? I have three cats and two dogs. 🙂

Last book you read The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson

TRC: Thank you Aubrey for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of Andre, the Kingslayer. We wish you all the best.