Hello everyone and welcome to my stop on the Escapist Book Co. virtual book tour for L.L. Stephens’ Epic Fantasy novel Sordaneon! Today, I am excited to help kickoff the tour by sharing an interview with the main character from the book!
You can find our Q&A below, along with all of the info about the book, the author, and links to purchase a copy of Sordaneon for yourself! Also, be sure to take a look at the schedule here or at the top of the post and follow along to see the stops from our other awesome hosts!
Book Information:
Sordaneon by L.L. Stephens
Series: The Triempery Revelations
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Intended Age Group: Adult
Pages: 511
Published: 2021
Publisher: Forest Path Books
Blurb
A fallen world is littered with the corpses of broken god-machines, and a sheltered angry youth is destined to reawaken their power. But to embody a god, Dorilian Sordaneon must first learn to be human.
Dorilian is blood-bound to the Rill, a quasi-living artifact that spans continents and empowers a privileged few to reap the riches of an entire civilization. Unfortunately, decades after seizing control of the remaining god-machines, those privileged few aren’t willing to give up their power—even if it means destroying the human bloodline to which the Rill is tethered.
See Also:
He Ain’t Heavy (He’s My Brother) • Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1 • You Want a Battle, Here’s a War
Book Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3o06bpa
Publisher Direct: https://forestpathbooks.com/catalogue/sordaneon/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58595005-sordaneon
Character Q&A
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Dorilian: His Thrice Royal Grace, Dorilian Derlon Amynas Valyoran Sordaneon ê Nemenor, Hierarch of Sordan and Sansordan, Prince of Caerdon, Bas of Kheshazen and Harad-Rebir, Archon of Katalderan and Warden of Tussah. Godborn. Bound to the Rill.
I’m descended from a god and I’m not completely human. I advertise the former and downplay the latter. It’s best to blend in—though I’m not good at doing that.
What music do you listen to?
Dorilian: Whatever I want to. String instruments can be pleasing. The Esseran king plays an oddly large instrument called a piano. I… actually like the melodies he plays.
What are 3 items you can’t live without?
Dorilian: Water. Food. A weapon.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what is one thing you’d like to have with you?
Dorilian: A message cylinder. I could—and would—send for help.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Dorilian: People who speak to me out of turn. As if they expect me to listen to anything they have to say.
What do you do in your free time?
Dorilian: Weapons practice. I have enemies who want to kill me and I’m determined to make that difficult.
What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning?
Dorilian: A good cook. Few things are more invigorating than a good breakfast.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Dorilian: “Don’t underestimate that man.” My grandfather Sebbord said that about Marc Frederick.
What do you carry in your bag?
Dorilian: I don’t have a bag. If I did, it would carry food and a flask of Tutto’s restorative.
What’s your favorite animal?
Dorilian: Horses. I enjoy riding them—and racing them.
What do you think about [other MC(s)]?
Dorilian: Marc Frederick Stauberg-Randolph is Essera’s king—and my enemy. At least, that is what I grew up thinking of him. When I met him, he surprised me. He’s not really a barbarian: he’s something else.
His daughter Emyli is afraid of me, though I have never done her wrong. Her son Stefan is frightened also, though he has reason; I don’t think he and I can ever be friendly, even for necessity’s sake.
Marenthro is up to something; someday I will figure out what.
Do you have favorite saying?
Dorilian: Secrets sheathe swords.
What is your favorite holiday?
Dorilian: The Illumination. It’s a three-day celebration of the Coming of the Gods Amynas and Leur to Sordan island. A feast, a play, a night of wild dance, and the return of the sun in the morning to reaffirm the birth of the Three.
If you could go anywhere in [the book’s world], where would you go and why?
Dorilian: I would go into the Rill sanctum at Sordan, the heart of the Entity. I am not allowed to enter, not anywhere near, and I really want to see it, touch it, and know the god from whom I am descended.
What do you do to relax?
Dorilian: Read philosophy or poetry. Sometimes I hunt or ride my horses.
What is your favorite food?
Dorilian: Sweet knots. Sweet bread knots glazed with sugar or honey.
What is your favorite season?
Dorilian: It used to be summer until I got married in that season. Spring now because it reminds me of happier times.
How would you define happiness?
Dorilian: Knowledge of love—and freedom from fear.
What are you passionate about?
Dorilian: Sordan. And the Rill. Living—I’m rather fond of being alive.
How do you feel about your government?
Dorilian: You mean my father? The weakling who allows Sordan to be occupied by Essera? Or do you mean Essera’s king, whose power we must obey? I despise them both.
If you could change one thing about [the book’s world], what would it be?
Dorilian: I would ensure that the barbarian Khelds had never come into this World. But for them, Essera would not have a lowborn king upon its throne. A Sordaneon would be sitting there.
What’s your biggest secret?
Dorilian: That I experience the Rill. It is a tingle within my flesh; a power I can potentially tap once I have reached adulthood. I keep this knowledge hidden because many would seek to exploit that connection in ways that terrify and could destroy me.
What do you hate?
Dorilian: Hypocrisy. Stupidity. Dishonesty. And any combination of these.
What’s your biggest fear?
Dorilian: That I attempt to command the Rill—and fail.
What do you think your best quality is?
Dorilian: Integrity. If I tell you something, believe it.
How would you describe the world you live in?
Dorilian: Dangerous.
About the Author
L.L. Stephens has been writing science fiction and fantasy full time for several years. Published works include a debut novel in the deep dark past, short stories under various pen names, articles in medical journals, and pamphlets for everything from local politicians to a major international airport.
The Triempery series, which includes Sordaneon, The Kheld King and The Second Stone (April 2023) is a six-book series and life work. For excerpts from existing or upcoming books, lore, maps, and other related content, visit the L.L. Stephens website or L.L.’s giveaway-happy social media.
Website: https://www.triempery.com
Blog: https://www.triempery.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/triempery
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php
Leave a Reply