‘Discoucia’, an extract

Today, I’m taking part in the blog tour for ‘Discoucia’, by Nicholas Lovelock. It’s a ‘Victorianish fairytale’. As part of the tour, organised by Rachel Gilbey of ‘Authoright’, I have an interview and extract of the book. First the extract.

Published by: Clink Street

Publication Date: 29th June 2017

I.S.B.N.: 978-1911525820

Format: Paperback

Price: £9.99

Blurb

Revolution, romance and technological wonders are all in a day’s work for the decorated hero of Avalonia, Sir Arthur Pageon.

An acclaimed explorer and inventor, Sir Arthur Pageon takes his unofficial role as defender of the realm of Avalonia very seriously. A fantastical world, Avalonia is home to the Discoucian Monarchy, as well as monstrous creatures and secretive academies for the highly gifted.

Upon returning from his most recent exploits aboard on his personal flying galleon The Nostradamus, Pageon is treated to a hero’s welcome and celebratory procession through the streets of Avalonia’s capital, Evermore. Little does Pageon know he’s being followed by a mysterious group known as the Purple Guard, whose devious leader is his estranged sister, Queen Lily Pageon of Harrha Island. Fiercely intelligent, Lily specialises in dastardly technological inventions with the aim of bringing down the Discoucian Monarchy so that she may reign as its dictator. However, the heir to the throne is one Princes Josephine Oladine, whose youth and royal position masks her role in the Discoucian Secret Service.

Joining forces, Princess Josephine and Sir Arthur’s adventures will take them across the whole of Avalonia — from the fog-bound shores of Karga, to the secret underground shanty town beneath the frozen prison of Icester, south to the verdant city of Proceur and from there to the affluent Starfall Academy — in their quest to foil Lily’s revolutionary plans.

Nicholas say’s about this extract…

This scene was the one that I felt had to be the perfect representation of my version of paradise, Archie’s home and sanctuary where she stays when not venturing around Alavonia assisting Arthur and his family. This is the first time for years that any living Alavonian would see the inside of Archie’s realm and as such I wanted to describe it just as it would appear to them.

After walking up what felt like a hill, they entered a large room which seemed like an amphitheatre only there was no one in it, and it seemed to have no top. There was just the dark; but what attracted their attention was the large hole in the wall. There were stalactites and stalagmites blocking the hole slightly, but Arthur saw that he was able to climb through. He was followed by Elise who struggled to get through, and was severely weakened from it. Jo and Lucy followed and they were greeted by an amazing sight, so amazing that they couldn’t fully take it in.

A dark blue sky, like a beautiful shade of midnight and stars as immeasurable as sand on a beach. The land was lit up by glowing crystals of red, yellow, pink and purple, and light blue orbs flew gracefully through the air. The forest in front of them was dark, but not evil looking and in fact looked quite peaceful. It was made up of ancient oak trees covered in a beautiful looking blue moss.

The whole area was saturated in colour and a vague sound echoed through the trees that sounded like a lullaby. There was an overpowering sense of placidity and peacefulness that entered the minds of the four travellers that made them forget everything and put them at ease instantly. They felt as though they had crossed over a threshold to another world and now they were in a dream, a living dream that was so much better than anything else the outside world could offer.  

Elise collapsed and lay peacefully on the soft grass verge. Arthur ran over to her and was taken over by tiredness which made him fall onto the verge too. Jo and Lucy also began to fall under some kind of magic spell and they fell onto the verge as well. Just as Jo closed her eyes she thought she saw Archie, just for a second, but then the whole world went black.

Arthur awoke first and saw that the place had not changed. He was feeling quite healthy and invigorated, and saw that the girls were collapsed in a pile sleeping soundly. He pulled them over to the verge where they were in a more dignified position. He then walked over to the entrance of the forest and decided to climb one of the ancient trees and get a much better view of the palace.