Providing context | 'What has gone before'

Connecting new material with past events

I took the decision to include a ‘what has gone before’ section in Sacral Shore for a number of different reasons, but mainly because, The Gaiadon Universe, the epic nature of the Gaiadon Lore series, coupled with several characters driving events in different locations needed a specific place in Book Three where context and background information was provided without dropping into story-telling.

In the ‘what has gone before’ section I remind readers of significant plot events that have occurred, beginning with the events in Book One, Dagger Path, where Isknot leaves the Gold Tower on a quest to find his grandmother, the infamous Witch Queen, Mordeana Never Dead, followed by the events that lead to the Eve of Destruction in Book Two, Black Void and the sacrifice and subsequent death of some compelling characters.

In looking at these events and their impact on the characters we can see how each character arc and plot has developed as we lead into Book Three, Sacral Shore. For example, Isknot is no longer the inexperienced sorceror who left the Gold Tower. The assassin Pouri Kanohi is a heartbroken wreck of a man who has been blinded and has had the responsibility of the position of the Eye of Hiriwa Pourewa thrust upon him, immediately after he had to kill his wife in an act of mercy. In Sacral Shore Pouri Kanohi is desperate to bring his wife, Raiona, back from the dead no matter the cost.

Further, when we first meet Silas Al Seamist in Dagger Path he is an incredibly boorish, fearless pirate who relies on his berserker energy to take the heart of an Eternity Eel. But he fails to follow the Lore and the occult rites around owning and wielding that kind of magic. As a result of not eating the eel heart he draws the price to be paid not only to himself but also the rest of his crew. Indeed, in Sacral Shore we discover that everyone who’s life Silas has touched, even in small ways, has been affected by his greed and his lack of taking full responsibility for the deed he carried out. So much so, that he finally realises that he has carried out the work of the Lords of The Dark Flame for them.

I also decided to include a ‘what has gone before’, because I believe that most fantasy readers are avid readers, they don’t take months to read a book but will often devour worlds, and words, in several days if not hours! In this case, and because it often takes me two years to complete a novel from draft to finished artwork I need to provide context and background information for those readers who have not visited the Gaiadon Universe for several years. The 'what has gone before' section therefore, connects the new material they are about to read to what has previously been established.

Finally, I have included a link to the ‘what has gone before' section so that anyone who is curious about the context and events in Gaiadon Lore can enjoy a brief overview of Dagger Path and Black Void.

I hope you enjoy, and decide to join me on an epic adventure in the Gaiadon Universe.

https://louiseceres5.wixsite.com/mysite/chapter-reads