From The Ashes (12 page)
Authors: Ian Alexander,Joshua Graham
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Sincerely,
An excerpt from
ONCE WE WERE KINGS
Joshua Graham
writing
as
IAN ALEXANDER
DAWN TREADER PRESS
DAWN TREADER PRESS
titles
by
Joshua Graham
Award Winning Titles
Beyond Justice
Suspense Magazine Best of 2010
Barnes & Noble #1 bestseller
Amazon Kindle bestseller
2008 Amazon Breakout Novel Award Competition Semi-Finalist
The Door’s Open
2010 Authonomy Christmas Story Competition
The Accidental Series
The Accidental Existentialist
The Accidental Exorcist
The Accidental Acquittal (Death and Taxes)
The Accidental Healer
The Accidental Hero
The Accidental Rebel
The Accidental Poltergeist
Historical and Fantasy
Four Gifts for Aria
Legend of the Tiger’s Throne
DAWN TREADER PRESS
For the latest on Joshua Graham’s work visit:
Visit Ian Alexander’s Official website:
Copyright ©2011 by Ian Alexander.
All rights reserved.
Cover art by Anna Steinbauer
Cover art copyright ©2011 by Dawn Treader Enterprises
Library of Congress Cataloging-In-Publication Data
Alexander, Ian
Once We Were
Kings
/
Ian Alexander
ISBN 0-9844526-1-
3
(
hardcover)
I.
Alexander, Ian
II.
Title.
Praise for
ONCE WE WERE KINGS
…a page-turning epic fantasy adventure…”
“…right out of the Golden Age of fantasy…”
“…elements of Tolkien…the Belgariad, the ‘Adept’ trilogy by Piers Anthony, and a healthy dollop of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles.”
“…Ian Alexander provides a spark, a momentum often absent in other epic fantasies.”
“…Compulsively readable…”
“…an admirable debut novel.”
~Michael Bellomo, Amazon Bestselling Author
“…
an epic fantasy tale of pure delight
…”
“Joshua Graham transitions from writing suspense and thrillers to the fantasy realm as Ian Alexander with flying colors.”
“…invokes awe in the reader that I’ve only felt with J.R.R. Tolkien, David Eddings and before them both, C.S. Lewis.”
“..
a
page turner with a very driven plot…
“What doesn’t this book have? Magic, shapeshifters, powerful deities and characters that you love and love to hate…”
“…will stay with you long after you’ve gotten to the end and leave you wanting more.”
“This is one of those books that you cannot miss in 2011 if you’re a fantasy lover.”
~The Top shelf
“…an amazing adventure…”
“…a fast-paced, action-packed adventure that hooked me from the start and kept me glued to the pages until the very end.”
“…incredible action, adventure and characters…”
“…The characters practically leap off the page, they are so vivid and real! “
“… rich symbolism with a great message…”
“…values and a message that you can feel good about…”
“…I would definitely be the first one in line for more Ian Alexander novels!”
~Life in Review
“…an amazing epic adventure that will take the reader on an unforgettable journey like no other.
“... I was immediately sucked into the story…”
“…absorbing me and surrounding me with amazing imagery, emotion and distinctiveness like none other I had ever read before.”
“…truly poetic.”
“…a generation bridging epic fantasy that is sure to span and hold strong through the test of time as well as our ever changing society and circumstances of readers everywhere.”
“…I often found my heart gripped within sadness, as well as bursting with joy.”
“…action, adventure, intrigue, romance and even shape-shifting spirits.”
“…the ending is the perfect segue into future books.
“A true classic in the making.”
~Cafe of Dreams Book Reviews
“Ian Alexander’s ONCE WE WERE KINGS sets new standards for epic fantasy.”
“ONCE WE WERE KINGS transcends the qualities found in such great works as “The Chronicles of Narnia” to “The Lord of the Rings”.
“…
a
true master of the written word.”
“…a thoroughly magical story filled with memorable characters, danger, hope, inspiration and romance.”
“Alexander’s ONCE WE WERE KINGS should sit on the highest shelf of your library.”
“A sparkling story that will leave the reader breathless and wanting more.”
~Susan Wingate, author of DROWNING and the award-winning BOBBY’S DINER series
“…[
Ian Alexander] delivers a very pleasing fantasy epic.”
“…seems to parallel some of our own socio-political climates, in regards to terrorism, racial and cultural biases, religious biases…”
“…many pleasant surprises…”
“…definitely recommend it, especially to those who are fans of novels such as Narnia”
“…I look forward with great anticipation to see what occurs next with some of the characters from this [book].”
“…You won’t be disappointed.”
~Rhodes Review
For Alexander and Madeleine,
My beloved children
FORE WORD
Gathered round
the wide and level stump of the Great Ancients' Tree, the Twelve Elders of the Sojourner's Council stood within the stone walls of the courtyard and rejoiced that the fulfillment of Shamis the Stargazer's prophecy was now at hand.
By the alignment of the northern constellations they knew that the time of deliverance drew nigh.
By the anomalous tide shifts and the unprecedented lunar phases, they knew that the dark reign of Malakandor would soon come to an end.
What they knew not was that a traitor lurked amongst them.
Oreus, the chief elder stood and raised his chalice.
"Brethren, you have honored the name of Valhandra with longsuffering and steadfast hope."
He turned to the elder on his right.
"Hephesta the Wolf-Hearted, you have endured three wars over the course of five hundred years."
With deep humility, Hephesta arose and inclined his head.
"And Bereus, the Tiger-Hearted."
He too arose.
"Thy service as the stalwart protector of the royal line beyond three hundred years has not gone unnoticed."
This continued until he turned his attention to the final elder.
At seventy-nine years of age, she was the youngest,
most spry
of them all.