#GuestDayTuesday – #DWallacePeach – #TheNecromancer’sDaughter

/ Marcia Meara

It’s #GuestDayTuesday again, folks, and today we have author D. Wallace Peach visiting us with news about her latest release, The Necromancer’s Daughter. Don’t know about you guys, but I’ve never read a book by Diana I didn’t LOVE, and  I’m dying to read this one! (SOOOON, My Precious!)

Thank you, Diana, for joining us today, and now … you have the floor, my friend! Take it away!

Good morning, Marcia. I’m delighted to get a slot on your blog for #GuestDayTuesday. I started my book tour about three weeks ago for my new stand-alone novel The Necromancer’s Daughter, and I thought I’d share a little about the inspiration/theme of the story.

As you know, I write fantasy novels, but there are only so many plots to go around, and we all have to share them regardless of the genre we write. So, with billions of books out there, how do we ever make our stories original? It’s all in the details, my friend, and the way we put our unique spin on them with our unique voices.

As much as fantasy is about imaginary worlds and magical beings, there are few of us who have the talent to tell an un-human story. We want to grab our readers and make them care. To do that, we need to create characters they can relate to and then put them in situations that make sense. You, my friend, are a master at doing just that.

In writing fantasy, for my themes, I draw quite a bit on the quandaries and challenges of modern life, knowing full well that the hurdles we face have been around for thousands of years in one form or another.

The theme of The Necromancer’s Daughter is the biases and assumptions we make about others without really getting at the truth of who they are as people. Does that sound familiar in our politically divided country? Or in the prejudices around race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and a host of other ways that we differ from each other? It’s a tale as old as time.

In The Necromancer’s Daughter, the division is between those who practice necromancy (the raising of the dead) and those who believe it’s demonic and against the wishes of their goddess.

One of my main characters, Joreh, is stuck in the middle with the hard task of facing his ingrained biases and really seeing people for who they are. That’s no easy task, and he has a lot on the line, including his life.

And, of course, the pages are brimming with action, escapes, barbarians, and dragons. There’s also a touch of romance and tons and tons of snow!

Thanks so much for having me over today, my friend. It was fun getting a chance to chat a little about the book! And many thanks to your blog friends for stopping by. Happy Reading.

You Can Buy The Necromancer’s Daughter HERE

BLURB:

A healer and dabbler in the dark arts of life and death, Barus is as gnarled as an ancient tree. Forgotten in the chaos of the dying queen’s chamber, he spirits away her stillborn infant, and in a hovel at the meadow’s edge, he breathes life into the wisp of a child. He names her Aster for the lea’s white flowers. Raised as his daughter, she learns to heal death.

Then the day arrives when the widowed king, his own life nearing its end, defies the Red Order’s warning. He summons the necromancer’s daughter, his only heir, and for his boldness, he falls to an assassin’s blade.

While Barus hides from the Order’s soldiers, Aster leads their masters beyond the wall into the Forest of Silvern Cats, a land of dragons and barbarian tribes. She seeks her mother’s people, the powerful rulers of Blackrock, uncertain whether she will find sanctuary or face a gallows’ noose.

Unprepared for a world rife with danger, a world divided by those who practice magic and those who hunt them, she must choose whether to trust the one man offering her aid, the one man most likely to betray her—her enemy’s son.

A healer with the talent to unravel death, a child reborn, a father lusting for vengeance, and a son torn between justice, faith, and love. Caught in a chase spanning kingdoms, each must decide the nature of good and evil, the lengths they will go to survive, and what they are willing to lose.

MY REVIEW:

(NOTE: I got my wish,  devoured this book, and here’s my review.)

I’m a huge fan of author D. Wallace Peach, and have loved every book of hers I’ve read to date.  Fantasy has become my favorite genre in recent years, so I was eagerly awaiting release day for this one, and crossing my fingers that I hadn’t built up unrealistic expectations. What a joke! It was even better than I hoped. I can honestly say I loved this book even more than Peach’s others, and that’s high praise, believe me.

As always, Diana’s world-building is fantastic, from the beliefs held by each country, to the descriptions of every battle … and every DRAGON! Yes, there are dragons, and they add a wonderful sense of magic that becomes totally believable as the story grows. But even better than the world or its fabulous dragons are the characters! Each is fully fleshed out in a way that made them totally real to me, complete with faults and frailties, generosities and kindnesses, strengths and weaknesses, and all the other components that go into being human. (Or slightly more than. We are talking necromancers here, so it’s a given that this world is touched by magic, even in cultures where it’s forbidden, and practicing it is punishable by death.)

I enjoyed this book with its elegant cover so much that I want to display it in my library, and am ordering a print copy for that purpose alone. Just looking at it sitting on my favorite bookshelf will make me smile every morning.

If you enjoy fantasy, interesting worlds graced with magic, and beautifully rendered characters who will live on in your heart long after you finish the last page, grab your copy right now. You won’t be sorry!

Author D. Wallace Peach

A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life when years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books. She was instantly hooked.

In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.

Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

You Can Buy The Necromancer’s Daughter Here:

You Can Reach Diana on Social Media HERE:

Amazon Author’s Page
Website/Blog
Website/Books 
Twitter 

176 thoughts on “#GuestDayTuesday – #DWallacePeach – #TheNecromancer’sDaughter”

    • Joan, I got it, read it, and added my review to this post (above). I think we’re of one mind about this one. Utterly beautiful, for sure! Thanks for stopping by today, and for adding your thoughts on The Necromancer’s Daughter. 😀 ❤

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        • You won’t believe this, but I actually forgot that I had already inserted it last night, and rushed straight out here to do so first thing this morning. DOH! Talk about a lack of caffeine!!! 😂😂😂 I’m just glad you enjoyed the post, overall, and that you are loving the book so far. I predict a wonderful review from you, too! 😀 ❤

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    • Thanks so much, Joan, for boosting the book and for the kind note on the tour. I’ve been having a blast. I have more touring to go, and really hope that my hosts are getting some exposure for their blogs and books. That was as much my hope as finding a few new readers. Have a wonderful day, my friend. ❤

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  3. I am so in awe of authors who can create fantasy worlds and make them believable and relatable.
    Fantasy is not a genre I have explored in books. I think I lack the imagination! However, your book sounds like a modern parable, and perhaps I ought to broaden my reading horizons!
    Thank you for sharing.

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    • I meant every word of it, Craig. This book was elegantly done in a way I envy so much. Don’t tell Diana, but I’d dearly love to be able to create fantasy like this one, with believable world-building and characters readers are fully invested in. And maybe some dragons! I don’t think that will happen this go around, but at least I have delightful fantasy to READ, from the fun of your Hat & Lanternfish series to the beauty of stories like this one. That will do me fine for now!

      Thanks for stopping by today! 😀

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      • I had to snort at your comment, Marcia. You already do write “believable world-building and characters readers are fully invested in.” I totally believe your magic, and I love love your characters. And Craig has the same writing gift of pure enjoyment.

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        • Aww, that’s such a great compliment, especially coming from you. I can only build worlds I’m familiar with, but if you like how I do that, then I’m a happy camper. I actually live right next door to my fictional town of Riverbend, so that one’s easy. And I’ve been to the precise area where I located the fictional wake-robin ridge, so that world is fairly easy for me, too. Building a whole new series of worlds and continents and countries is a different matter altogether, and I’m very grateful you and many others know how to do it so well. I sure do love visiting them! 😀 ❤

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            • That’s a wonderful compliment, Diana. I am a lover of characters who grab my heart or touch me in one way or the other, so to read that you “fall in love with” mine is fantastic! I’ll be dancing on air all day, and with any luck, I will SOON be able to get back to writing #4 in the Riverbend series, and #1 in the spinoff WRR novellas. I’ve missed being able to focus well enough to write for months now, and I’m hoping that soon comes to an end. I have stories I really want to tell, and people I want to set free on an unsuspecting world!
              Muah-hahahahahaha.
              😀 ❤

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  6. Pingback: The Necromancer’s Daughter Book Tour: Day 8 | Myths of the Mirror

  7. Thank you so much for having me over today, Marcia, and for the wonderful review! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the book and the characters. And thanks for the beautiful review. That was the cherry on the icing on the cake. I’m looking forward to spending the day with you, chatting with your visitors, and having a few laughs too. Huge hugs for your kindness, my friend. Have a wonderful day. ❤ ❤

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    • It’s always my pleasure to have you here on TWS, Diana, and especially when it’s to help you get the word out about a new book. Double especially when the new book is one I loved as much as The Necromancer’s Daughter. BTW, my print copy arrived last night and is already on display on one of my easels. I can enjoy how beautiful it is from where I sit at my computer!

      Thanks for being a guest here today, and huge congratulations on this one! Hope it sells right off the virtual shelves!! 🤗💖🤗

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      • Thanks, Marcia. The book is getting a lovely reception, and I couldn’t be happier, especially when finding new readers and making some new blog friends. I’m so honored that you went ahead and bought a paperback copy. I do that too with books that I find extra special… like Rabbit’s.

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      • PS, thanks so much for the kind words about me and my blog on your site! You made my morning! And thanks also for the wonderful compliment you paid me in your post above. I’m so glad you enjoy my characters, and you KNOW how much I enjoy yours! ❤️❤️❤️

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    • I agree, Laurie. It’s one of those human lessons that we don’t seem to learn very well despite thousands of years of experience. As a theme for literature, it’s timeless and timely. I just spent a (wedding) weekend with a bunch of people who are quite different from me, and we had a wonderful time… it was a good reminder that people are multifaceted and complex and a little kindness goes a long way. 🙂 Have a wonderful day, my friend. ❤

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    • I was hoping for that contrast between expectation and reality, Anneli. I’m so glad it worked. Necromancers elicit such dark and scary imagery. They were the perfect subjects to make kind and loving. Thanks for stopping by Marcia’s this morning. Have a wonderful day, my friend. ❤

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      • By having Joreh question the morality of Aster using her necromancy skills, it really brought home the fact that there are two ways of looking at it. This added tension and conflict to the story but also showed both sides of the necromancy issue. I rationalized the idea of necromancy (since I’m too practical to easily believe fantasy [at least I thought that at one time]) by likening it to bringing back people who were unconscious or in a coma. Then it made perfect sense to me.

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  14. What a fabulous post today. Diana, I love what you said, “it’s all in the detail.” You are right. There are millions of books out there and only so many tropes, but our unique voices are what sets the story apart. I loved this book! It’s such a great story, and at times I found myself holding my breath. I highly recommend it. Thank you, Marcia, for hosting Diana today!

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    • Always a pleasure to host my fellow writers, Jan, and Diana never fails to deliver! I held my breath through many parts of this story, too, and can’t recommend it highly enough. So glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for stopping by to let us know. 😀 ❤

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    • I read once that there are only 36 basic plots (even less depending on who you ask). So it’s our style, our voice, our vision, and our choices that make our stories unique. I think that’s so cool… and encouraging. If we can imagine, we’ll never run out of stories. Thanks so much for swinging by Marcia’s, and Happy Writing!

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    • It’s always great to have Diana visit TWS, and this post was a super one, for sure! So glad you enjoyed it, and that you agree with my review, too. I really loved this one, as if you can’t tell. 😀 Thanks so much for stopping by today, Denise! 😀 ❤

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    • Always a pleasure to have my writing friends visit us here, including you, Jacqui! And Diana’s posts are very welcome here any day. So glad you enjoyed this one and my review, too. It’s a great book, for sure! 😀 ❤

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  20. An excellent post by Diana and an excellent review.
    Joreh was such a wonderfully complex and conflicted character, and I positively loved the dragons! A fantastic book even for readers who normally don’t devour fantasy!

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  25. After reading this post I’m curious whether you are a plotter or a pantser, Diana. It seems as though you plan out your high concept before drafting the story. I’m wondering how much forethought goes into your characters and settings, or do they just grow organically?
    Loved this book, by the way!

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    • Thanks for stopping by, Jacquie. And a great question! I consider myself a plotter. I create an outline, write up bios for all the characters, and create a world-building “encyclopedia,” all before I start writing. But I leave lots and lots of wiggle room for the characters to be themselves. They have goals and I give them obstacles to overcome, but how they feel about it is up to them. 🙂 That’s the magical part of writing that I just love. ❤ ❤

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  26. You can really hear the appreciation the two of you have for each other… both as writers and as people. Loved this post. And I love your work. (Speaking to both of you.)

    Thanks for hosting, Marcia.

    Diana, The Necromancer’s Daughter was wonderful. (Yes, I know I already told you that. But it bears repeating.) Wishing you all the best with it.

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  27. I’m enjoying this book SO MUCH that I’m making myself just read at night, maybe 30 minutes at a time. Well, then it goes to 45 minutes. Then I make myself turn the light out and guess what I dream of? YES, dragons and necromancing. Quite interesting dreams, I must say. I am L O V I N G this book. Peach is one of my favorite authors (and my favorite fantasy author), and this book is my favorite of hers. But I say that about each one. 🙂

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    • Thanks so much for swinging by Marcia’s, Pam, and checking out her review. I’m flattered by your kind comment and delighted that you’re loving the book. I tend to read at night too. It’s a great way to unwind. I hope the story continues to entertain and that the end makes you smile after all the struggles. Hugs, my friend. Have a beautiful peaceful day. ❤

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    • I fall asleep reading in bed every night too, Pam. Sometimes I get in two hours or so, sometimes it’s only 15 or 20 minutes before the ol’ Kindle smacks me on the forehead! 😀 But I only WISH I dreamed about some of the things I’ve read. I’d LOVE to be in dragonland with Aster and friends!

      So glad you enjoyed Diana’s post, and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and let us know! 😀 ❤

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  28. A wonderful review!
    I especially like what Diana said when she had the floor!
    I have my copy, and will be reading it soon(ish). I’m not a reviewer per se, so I’m waiting for this heady tour to be over. All the writers are/sound amazing, including you. I read Diana’s review of “A Boy Named Rabbit”. Congratulations!

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    • I’m so glad you enjoyed Diana’s post, Resa, and I just KNOW you are going to love The Necromancer’s Daughter, too! And thanks for your kind words about A Boy Named Rabbit, as well. He came along in Book 2 of what was going to be your basic Romantic Suspense series, and usurped the entire thing. (But I’m not complaining. It seems to be working!) 😊

      Nice to see you here today, and I hope you’ll stop by often! 😀 ❤

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    • Thanks for stopping by Marcia’s, Resa. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about the book’s theme, as well as Marcia’s beautiful review. And thanks for mentioning my review of A Boy Named Rabbit. What a great book! Have a wonderful evening and Happy Reading whenever you get to it. ❤ ❤ ❤

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  29. I love the notion of fantasies being “un-human” stories, Diana. Indeed, it takes a special type of creative mind — one I don’t possess — to build fantastical worlds, invest readers in the reality of them, and use them to convey some insight into or wisdom on the human condition. Congrats on the publication of The Necromancer’s Daughter!

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    • Diana has done a wonderful job on each point you mention, Sean, and her book is “fantastic” in every sense of the word.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a moment to weigh in on this discussion, too! 😀

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    • Thanks for stopping by Marcia’s, Sean. Fantasy (and sci-fi) leaves a lot of room to comment on the human condition, not unlike other books that make statements about greed, war, discrimination, good and evil, but with the distance/comfort created by speculative fiction. I remember listening to a lecture about the first post-apocalyptic (fiction) books and how they helped shaped the world’s view of nuclear war. It’s all fascinating to me. Have a wonderful evening, my friend. Happy Reading!

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