G I V E A W A YΒ Β E N D E D
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Book details:
Guardian by Amy Winters-Voss
(The Liminal Chronicles, #2)
Publication date: May 10th 2023
Genres: , Urban, Fantasy
Synopsis:
βOne hundred pieces of gold for every kitsune head laid at my feet!βConvinced redemption lies in becoming a Guardian, Umeji Tatsuya seeks mentorship from the legendary tengu king Soujou-bou. Though, the rest of the Guardian Council is skeptical heβs left behind his dark yakuza past. Thereβs no time to prove his loyalty and worth before disaster strikes.
A pair of kitsune refugees arrive and hot on their heels is a massive oni army led by Ibaraki Douji, who plans not only to exterminate kitsune kind but also to resurrect the title of Shogun to become ruler of Japan. As kitsune are slaughtered and Umeji and his family fight for their very survival without the support of the Guardians, Umeji questions where his loyalties actually lie.
Just when Umeji thinks things couldnβt get worse, the oni army lays siege to the rural town of Nonogawa and takes on the League of Guardians themselves. When Ibaraki makes off with a legendary sword, the Guardian Council blames Umeji for its loss. Heβs done playing by their rules. With family and friends by his side and all of kitsune kind counting on him, Umeji vows to recover the sword and stop Ibaraki for good.
Will the cost be too high? Because the search leads to places mere humans donβt dare tread and what Umeji and his crew find is darker than anything he saw in the mobβ¦
Guardian is the second book in the Liminal Chronicles series. Buy now and enjoy Umejiβs action-packed journey into Japanese myth, personal redemption, and found family.Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo
EXCERPTS:
EXCERPT 1:
Next, the tengu kingβs eyes narrow and his wings ruffle. βLet us see you in your original shape, boy. Your magic doesnβt quite match the kitsune form you present.β
He waves his feathered fan, popping me back into human shape. At least I had the sense to dress formally, in a navy suit and a tie that Su-chan picked out for me. Though, I still feel out of place. Besides my aunt and I, everyone else wears a kimono and hakama. Itβs different from the streets of Kyoto, where you see the traditional clothing only occasionally.
Then Soujou-bou raises a bushy eyebrow. βNakamura-san, why do you associate with a magic thief?β
βThat is his story to tell, Soujou-sama. Know that I believe him,β she responds in a flat, neutral tone that raises my hackles. Sheβs never this submissive.
As I give a deep, reverent bow, he remarks, βBoy, Nakamura-sanβs recommendation does not excuse the evil in which youβve partaken. Why did you stoop so low and steal kitsune magic?β
My insides twist at having to contradict the tengu king right off the bat. Taking a deep breath, I keep it simple. βWe did not steal it, sir.β
But he snaps, cutting through the air with his feather fan. βNo one gives such a gift! It destroys the owner. If I do not find your explanation satisfactory, youβll not leave my palace alive.β
The declaration sends a shiver down my spine and my words spill out. βThe fox I was fighting was Date Sari. Sheβd repeatedly attacked me and Aunt Hisako because of an old grudge and used her magic for evilβmixing it with that of an oni to add to her power.
βWhen she attacked my girlfriend, I tried to stop Date without killing her by dispelling her abilities. We didnβt know it would split and settle into each of us. The kami judged Date for her actions and Inari Okami was merciful. He didnβt require us to return her magic or hoshi no tama, which would have killed us.
βMy aunt gave me a chance to start again after leaving the yakuza, and I wish to honor her and follow in her footsteps.β
βYakuza, you say?β His eyes flick to my aunt.
I whisper, βI have much to atone for, sir.β Pressing
Next, the tengu kingβs eyes narrow and his wings ruffle. βLet us see you in your original shape, boy. Your magic doesnβt quite match the kitsune form you present.β
He waves his feathered fan, popping me back into human shape. At least I had the sense to dress formally, in a navy suit and a tie that Su-chan picked out for me. Though, I still feel out of place. Besides my aunt and I, everyone else wears a kimono and hakama. Itβs different from the streets of Kyoto, where you see the traditional clothing only occasionally.
Then Soujou-bou raises a bushy eyebrow. βNakamura-san, why do you associate with a magic thief?β
βThat is his story to tell, Soujou-sama. Know that I believe him,β she responds in a flat, neutral tone that raises my hackles. Sheβs never this submissive.
As I give a deep, reverent bow, he remarks, βBoy, Nakamura-sanβs recommendation does not excuse the evil in which youβve partaken. Why did you stoop so low and steal kitsune magic?β
My insides twist at having to contradict the tengu king right off the bat. Taking a deep breath, I keep it simple. βWe did not steal it, sir.β
But he snaps, cutting through the air with his feather fan. βNo one gives such a gift! It destroys the owner. If I do not find your explanation satisfactory, youβll not leave my palace alive.β
The declaration sends a shiver down my spine and my words spill out. βThe fox I was fighting was Date Sari. Sheβd repeatedly attacked me and Aunt Hisako because of an old grudge and used her magic for evilβmixing it with that of an oni to add to her power.
βWhen she attacked my girlfriend, I tried to stop Date without killing her by dispelling her abilities. We didnβt know it would split and settle into each of us. The kami judged Date for her actions and Inari Okami was merciful. He didnβt require us to return her magic or hoshi no tama, which would have killed us.
βMy aunt gave me a chance to start again after leaving the yakuza, and I wish to honor her and follow in her footsteps.β
βYakuza, you say?β His eyes flick to my aunt.
I whisper, βI have much to atone for, sir.β Pressing my palms together in front of me, I bow as low as I can and remain in the position as I ask, βPlease, teach me so I can serve as a Guardian.β
EXCERPT 2:
Inside, the tengu kneels as he reports to his master in a grating, scratchy voice. βMy Lord, Ibaraki Douji leads an oni horde. Theyβve reached the base of the mountain. She was screaming βDeath to the kitsune.β We estimate the horde to be four hundred strong.β
S**t. She followed the Date pair. Iβll help defend my masterβs estate. Will even Soujou-bou, the old priest, have to fight?
βLight the flares! Sound the alarm!β Soujou-bou shouts.
The messenger strikes a gong that sends a thrum reverberating through the vicinity and spurring all around to action. So I move out of the way to keep from being trampled. With deafening pops, portals form in every direction.
Taking his swords from their perch, Soujou-bou shouts, βKumagai, prepare my armor! Zumi, gather the troops!β
In a softer tone, he says to me, βThis is the reason I donβt allow portals to be created just anywhere on my land. It allows my troops from across the country to arrive in an instant. Each provinceβs portal has an assigned location, so thereβs no worry about overlap and losing soldiers to the void. Newcomers donβt know the open areas.β
Meanwhile, the sky fills with a cacophony of beating black and brown wings, caws, shrieks, and whistles from tengu that barrel down en masse. Did the intruders think taking Soujou-bouβs lands would be easy?Β Guess again!
Energy thrums through my veins as I force myself to be still and wait for orders.
Aunt Hisako skitters from the house to my side. βI heard the summons. Whatβs happening?β
βInvasion. You ok for ki?β My hand hovers over her fur, ready to share my life force.
But she holds up a paw. βKeep it. Youβll need what you have.β
βKitsune-kind, go, now!β Soujou-bou barks at us.
Pressing my hands together before me in my bow, I volunteer. βMaster, let me help defend your home.β
βProtect your aunt in her weakened state, at all costs. Ibaraki will focus on both clans of your family when she realizes how many kitsune are here. My people will buy you time,β Soujou-bou says, then directs his captains to hold the gate.
βUnderstood, sir!β
Grandma Miwa arrives. Her head whips around to Aunt Hisako. βWhat do you mean, weakened state? I saw you low on ki, butβ¦β
Aunt Hisako wonβt meet her gaze as we retreat inside, with Soujou-bou and his retainers hot on our heels. She gives the unvarnished truth. βSari stole my hoshi no tama and broke it, leaving me magically crippled.β
Gasping, Grandma Miwa hangs her head as a tengu servant rushes in with Soujou-bouβs armor. In a glowing blur, the bird-man servant helps his master into the many pieces. Black and brown feathered soldiers open the houseβs sliding doors and line up the troops outside.
While Soujou-bou puts his helmet on and casts a spell to tie the laces, he barks, βUmeji-kun, I suspend the restriction on you. Create a portal out of sight and get your family to safety. Keep your destination secret.β
βWe donβt need your protection, yakuza.β Hoji sticks his nose in the air, then turns to the others. βMother, let us leave.β
Instead, Grandma Miwa slaps the top of his head with a forepaw. βBaka.β
From outside, the chaos of thunder, the clashing of swords, and continual pops from new portals forming makes my muscles twitch.
βKami-sama, protect us. Theyβre using an anti-magic battering ram.β Aunt Hisakoβs voice turns tight and my mouth goes dry as a desert, just like it did those years ago in the surprise attack on the Hiragi clan yakuza headquarters.
Soujou-bou and his servants stride through the hall toward the outside. His barked βNow, boy!β enhances the purposeful presence he emanates
My palms together in front of me, I bow as low as I can and remain in the position as I ask, βPlease, teach me so I can serve as a Guardian.β
Author Bio:
Amy is a former programmer turned author after her first trip to Japan in 2017. Now she
writes Japanese myth-based urban fantasy to reconnect with the country and culture that
captured her heart. She lives in South Dakota with her supportive husband, two wonderful kids,
and three wily and crazy ferrets.
GIVEAWAY!
Thank you so much for being a part of Guardian’s Book Blitz! <3
Love the cover art! Looks like a great read!
This sounds fantastic! Found family is one of my favorite tropes, and I love mythology.