THE SHADE BETWEEN SHADOWS by E. C. Hibbs (COVER REVEAL AND EXCERPT)
We’re thrilled to be taking part today in the cover reveal for E. C. Hibbs’ upcoming historical fantasy, The Shade Between Shadows.
Before we check out the cover and excerpt, let’s find out more from the official blurb:
“I didn’t think myself truly silent. I possessed a voice, as sure as any other. It was simply not the same as any other I had met.”The year is 1838. Queen Victoria has ascended the throne. And within the United Kingdom lies Nightland: a sprawling forest filled with darkness and danger.Beatrice has always been different. She has not spoken since childhood, communicates through drawings, and hates to be touched. And she is a grey: half-English and half-Nightlander.When she is forced into servitude across the border, she hatches a plan to escape with siblings Anselm and Gretchen. But gaining her freedom will be no simple task, for first, she must unravel the secrets of her master, Prince Edward. A man rumoured to have murdered his wife – and who shares Beatrice’s ability to see people’s souls.
The Shade Between Shadows is due for release 9th April. You can pre-order the e-book on Amazon, and the paperback will be available to order from the release date.
And now, let’s see the cover!
How beautiful is that cover? Now let’s hand you over to Emma for some exciting news about the release:
I really hope you like the cover! It’s packed with symbolism for the story within, and was created by me. It’s definitely one of my favourites which I’ve ever made!
This is now live on Facebook and is open to everyone, anywhere in the world. It will begin on Sat 13th April and will run from 7pm-1am BST or 3pm-9pm EST. Also featured are special guests Samanatha Shaye and Sai Marie Johnson, who will each take over for 1 hour.
Please come along if you can – it would be amazing to see you there!
Rafflecopter GiveawayThis will open on 10th March and will run until 12th April (the day before the release party). Entries can be made by pre-ordering/purchasing a copy of The Shade Between Shadows (+5), visiting my Facebook group (+2), or visiting my Facebook page (+1). The prize bundle includes:
- Book-accurate replica of Beatrice’s indenture certificate, signed by me, and featuring a Batty wax seal.
- Personalised handwritten letter from me.
- Two signed colour prints of the Chester and Thornvale artworks, as featured in the paperback.
- Batty Brigade swag pack: button badge & 5 signed bookmarks, including a brand new Nightland bookmark.
- Sepia and Silver e-book.
The Shade Between Shadows is due for release 9th April. You can pre-order the e-book on Amazon, and the paperback will be available to order from the release date.
Excerpt
“Have you always been mute?” Greta asked suddenly.
My throat constricted. I pulled out my notebook; sketched a young girl, akin to myself, then drew a thick line across the mouth.
“You could talk, but you stopped?” Greta guessed.
I nodded with a sideways motion. In a way.
“So you could still do it now, if you wished?”
No.
“Have you tried?”
Yes.
“And don’t you miss it? Or wish it could be so again?”
“You could talk, but you stopped?” Greta guessed.
I nodded with a sideways motion. In a way.
“So you could still do it now, if you wished?”
No.
“Have you tried?”
Yes.
“And don’t you miss it? Or wish it could be so again?”
On some days, I certainly did. But I was more likely to revel in my silence than to resent it. It was my comfort and my shield, even if nobody understood why.
I held vague memories of attempting sound. I had been late to use my voice anyway — my first utterance didn’t come until the age of four. A year later, I mentioned the shades, only to be answered with ridicule and the strike of the matron’s rod. The more I sought to speak, the harder the blows rained down.
I held vague memories of attempting sound. I had been late to use my voice anyway — my first utterance didn’t come until the age of four. A year later, I mentioned the shades, only to be answered with ridicule and the strike of the matron’s rod. The more I sought to speak, the harder the blows rained down.
With each beating, I came closer to an ultimate realisation. I couldn’t convey through the narrowness of twenty-six letters. Every time I tried, my throat closed, as if I were wearing a hangman’s noose. A doctor stated that my vocal cords were too weakened to talk again; that the muscles were in danger of atrophy. But I knew it was more than that. Quite simply, my way was in what was felt and perceived, not what was told: the depths and colours of a perfect image unbound by stark lines.
And so, I didn’t think myself truly silent. I possessed a voice, as sure as any other. It was simply not the same as any other I had met.
And so, I didn’t think myself truly silent. I possessed a voice, as sure as any other. It was simply not the same as any other I had met.
