Stalemate | A Rise To Power

"In a land of enemies and betrayal, only the strongest can survive."

BOOK ONE OF THE 'QUEENS AND PAWNS' SERIES

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A story can begin when the balance between protagonist and antagonist is tipped, and even the most noble flinch away from chivalry. It can begin when spies lurk in every nook and cranny while people's loyalties grow frailer, or when enemies murmur among each other with rumours of an impending war.

The story has already begun when the rightful king of the South is cast from his throne by a usurper and forced into exile. It has begun when people take up arms and call for war in his name. It has already begun when trust proves scarce, especially as the East and West remain unresponsive against it all; when even the most oblivious can sense the beginnings of a war emerging on the horizon.

The story can turn down another path when King Lucian of the North refuses to acknowledge the notion of war. He knows that if war truly began, his attempts at peace amid the massacre would be futile.

While he remains trapped in a cage of denial, an enemy in the shadows starts to don armour.

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Credits to @km_sandoval for the cover

RUNNER UP FOR THE CREATIVITY AWARDS 2019
FIRST PLACE IN THE PAPER AWARDS 2020
FIRST PLACE IN THE BELLES LETTRES AWARDS 2020
JOINT FIRST PLACE IN THE BUTTERFLY AWARDS 2020
WINNER IN THE PASSION AWARDS 2020