merlinscribe | Screening and Comment Threads

This following comment was made on your post as to the mass market publication of Blade of Empire. I’m not sure you got it, but I am sort, and hope you don’t find this annoying, if you did!

Thank you so much for this update! I only read books in paper back, and I can't wait to read Blade of Empire, having been anxiously waiting basically since I picked up The Outstretched Shadow in October of 2013. I re-read Crown in five days, and have made it my goal to re-read both the Obsidian Trilogy and The Enduring Flame Trilogy before Blade comes out in August (fingers crossed life doesn't get in the way of that)!

I just want to say how much I have enjoyed this journey through the world you have created. I love how the reader can experience the darkness that permeates the very essence of your novels, but still find hope in the innate goodness of the characters you have created. As an aspiring author myself, I find the balance between the power of the villain and the power of the protagonist difficult to maintain in a believable fashion. There has to be just enough darkness within the novel to provide opposition, without snuffing out all hope and just leaving me depressed for weeks on end (*cough cough* Star Wars III).

I do have one question. I have noticed that the stylistic choices present in your books with Mercedes Lackey are significantly different from the tone created in Lackey’s own books. So my question is this: who does most of the actual writing of the books in the Obsidian world? Does one of you show more of a presence in the process than the other, or is it a more collaborative effort?

There is also another question I have, about the publication process. How much say do you as the author have in the formatting of the book itself? Did you have any say in any of the cover art? Are you satisfied with the way the cover art portrays your characters? What changes, if any, would you make?

Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to a response.

Hello James,

Wow and thanks for answering so many of my questions through my email!!

I have a few more, based on what you’ve said, so do humour me, haha. Most of them are related to the mysteries that may never been fully expanded upon.

What other lands lie beyond the ocean in the east? Are they in contact with any of the lands in Kellen’s time, or Tiercel’s time?

What about the Endarkened? Do the Endarkened plan to conquer those lands to the east as well, or have they done that and that’s why the Elves fled to the west?

If you don’t ever plan on expanding them, would you mind explaining them in a bit more detail? What sort of races lie in those lands? Are they similar to the ones that we see in the Brightworld? Or are they races of Darkness?

It’s interesting to see how the Elves of Amrethion’s time thought that Pelashia’s children were cursed and dangerous, but yet now the Lightborn (who you said are all Pelashia’s descendants) are referred to as Pelashia’s Children and walk openly among the Elves of Vieliessar’s time.

One thing also bugs me. The Elves of Vieliessar’s time knew to draw upon the Flower Forests for their magic. But in Kellen and Tiercel’s time now I only ever see Elven Mages draw power from Dragons. Does that mean that the Elves no longer know how to draw upon the Flower Forest to power their magic? Or that they no longer can?

Lastly, the Elves of Kellen and Tiercel’s time remind me so much more of the Woodvose than Vieliessar’s Trueborn Elves.

And why is Amretheon called “Amretheon Enslaver” and “Amretheon Betrayer”?

And a few suggestions, thoughts? Maybe Savilla doesn’t really know that Virulian is her daughter because he was killed before she was fully grown and Uralesse became King of the Endarkened after? But you probably have all these planned out already.

So by the next 10 years, the Elves of Vieliessar’s time are already in the Uradabhur and the Arzhana? Or were they still in Tildorangelor and the magic is being drained dangerously?

Love the books so much have read them multiple times. I’m trying to make a d&d game based for of the books but was wondering if there is a map that I can use as reference for the players as they travle around

Are we to wait for years again for Scourge of Fate release?

I want to start off by saying that I really love your work and am waiting eagerly for the next installment.
That said, when I started reading Crown of Vengeance (and on into Blade of Empire) I noticed a few details that weren't consistent with the details given in the original trilogy.

The most notable example is the fact that in Obsidian Mountain it states several times that, at the end of the first Endarkened War, the Elves had given up their share in the greater magics in exchange for peace and longevity. Yet, here in Dragon Prophecy, the first Endarkened War is still going on, the Elves still have magic, but they already seem to be living very long lives.

Another example is the notable difference between the goals of the Endarkened in the two series. (Oh, and also, the original trilogy stated that Savilla was the daughter of Uralesse, not Virion) In Dragon Prophecy the goal of the Endarkened is nothing less than the annihilation of created life and then returning to nothingness in union with He Who Is. But in Obsidian Mountain the goal of the Endarkened seemed to more or less just be conquering the world.

Now, I know that it is unfair to expect you to remember every detail of books written so long ago, especially since you have other series to keep track of. What I am wondering is whether the changed details were due to simply forgetting the details? Or are the details being retroactively changed to better fit the story that you want to tell? Or is it an in-universe example of details being lost or remembered incorrectly over time and goals changing over time?

Dare I even inquire as to how long the wait might be for book 3? Hopefully not another several years. Even incomplete, I love this story. it's a vivid world and i am very interested to know how it all shakes out.

I really don't want to hassle you about Scourge of Fate. Any news? Just wandering, because it has been half a year since your last post. Hope it does not have the same wait that Blade had. I will like to think that you are just working hard on the third book and don't have time to post updates. Hope everything is is all right with you, though.

I'm so happy I stumbled upon your site. I love the work of Obsidian and adore the characters.

I saw in previous posts that Blade was trimmed throughout the editing process - is there any chance in you releasing your original manuscript?

Any idea when the next book will be released?

I just searched Amazon for Scourge of Fate, and it identified a book with that title, published on Dec. 25, 2018 by author Robbie MacNiven. Does this mean you are looking for a new title?

When is Scourge of Fate being released?

Its been over a year since you've made a new post. How are things going? I'm just talking in general and not necessarily book updates since I don't recall there being radio silence here for quite this long before. :)

Waiting in anticipation.
Whatever it takes.

Just sitting hear waiting on book 3

Any new news on Scourge?

Will there be a follow up book to your co-written book The House of the Four Winds? I very much enjoyed that book! Thanks!

It’s been nearly a year (363 days) since your last update or response to any comments on here, any news? Is everything O.K.?

no subject

Email response

Maps

Book 3

A question about Dragon Prophecy in relation to the other series

Scourge of Fate

no subject

Manuscript of Blade

no subject

New title for Scourge of Fate?

no subject

Just checking up

Scourge of Fate

Update

Scourge

Sequel question

Any news on life in General?