LACRIMOSA OF DANA media roundup

The release of “Lacrimosa of Dana” by Anna Kashina, the official novelization of Ys VIII, was met with incredible support from the Ys community and fans. We thank you all for sharing this joyous event with us, and for all the orders, reviews, social media posts, photos of the book, and kind words of support for this book and the Ys series.

We are grateful to Nihon Falcom Co., Ltd., for their support of this project. Check out this exclusive interview with Nihon Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo, talking about the book:

https://lacrimosathenovel.com/2023/10/nihon-falcom-president-mr-toshihiro-kondo-on-lacrimosa-of-dana-novelization/

Digital Emelas, a fan site dedicated to Ys, posted this photo with the following quote:

“Lacrimosa of Dana by Anna Kashina belongs in every fan’s collection. It is obvious Kashina deeply understands the source material. For fans who wished they could experience the game ~again for the first time~ this delivers.”

Read the interview they posted with the author Anna Kashina here:

http://www.digitalemelas.com/archive_anna.php

Actress Kira Buckland brought us an exclusive reading from the book in Laxia von Roswell’s voice. This reading beautifully highlights Laxia as one of the major characters in the book. Listen to it here:

And actress Brianna Knickerbocker, the voice of Dana in the game, really said it all by posting this photo:

HERE ARE SOME MORE REVIEW QUOTES AND LINKS:

“It’s a fascinating setup that will keep you reading late into the night, held up by some extremely likable characters. Even as the island’s mysteries are solved one by one, new mysteries and problems arise. Despite knowing everything that happens from completing the game, I was enthralled once again wondering what would happen next.” – Gaming Trend

“Lacrimosa of Dana is an undeniably excellent retelling of Ys VIII that capitalizes on the series’ collective nature as standalone experiences to deliver a truly memorable interpretation. Author Anna Kashina gives fans stellar character writing within an emotional large-stakes narrative, and an Adol Christin whose standout presence gives the adventure a more personal touch.” – Noisy Pixel

Lacrimosa of Dana Novel Review – An Excellent Ys VIII Retelling for Fans & Newcomers Alike

“I have not played a Ys game, but I do have experience playing JRPG’s and reading light novels. This adaptation hits the highs of both media. Kashina’s passion for the story and the characters leaps off the page. I loved how distinct the voices were.” – Jo Writes Fantasy

Jo also posted an interview with Anna Kashina here:

Author to Author with Anna Kashina (Lacrimosa of Dana)

“Lacrimosa of Dana is an engaging, heartfelt read sure to enthrall those who adventure with Adol and Dana.” – RPGFan

“It’s a strong adaptation that can either be read standalone or as a fond revisitation for those who’ve already played it.” – Hardcore Gaming 101

“Lacrimosa of Dana is not only one of the best novelizations of a game that’s currently available; it’s also one hell of a good novel in its own right.  Anna Kashina has done a spectacular job here …, so don’t even consider hesitating on picking up Lacrimosa of Dana.  It’s a stellar novel and one you won’t soon forget!” – The Otaku Authority

“Lacrimosa of Dana transforms the story of the popular Ys game into a novel, allowing the story to be experienced in a different way.” – Hardcore Gamer

MAKE SURE TO ALSO WATCH THESE GREAT VIDEO REVIEWS BY:

Eric Landon:

Backlog Battle:

CommRio:

LACRIMOSA OF DANA cover reveal!

Drumroll….

Ebook preorders are open now at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Google Play

And other major retailers worldwide.

Print orders are arriving soon… stay tuned for news and updates!

LACRIMOSA OF DANA: the novel!

We are beyond excited to announce our upcoming title: LACRIMOSA OF DANA, officially licensed novelization of the bestselling video game, Ys VIII: LACRIMOSA OF DANA, by Nihon Falcom Co.

This game, part of the award-winning Ys series, features Adol Christin, a swordsman and adventurer, and the story of his fated trip across the Gaete sea that lands him on a mysterious and cursed Seiren Island. First release in 2016, this game captured the hearts of audiences all over the world with its compelling story, vivid characters, superb action, and breathtaking artwork. And now, we get the privilege of bringing this story and characters to life in an upcoming novel that centers around the plot and characters of the game.

The novel is written by Anna Kashina, an award-winning fantasy author of the Majat Code series, and is scheduled for release this fall. You can lean more about this project and sign up for our newsletter at the official project web site:

https://lacrimosathenovel.com

Follow the news about this project on social media at @dragonwellbooks, @lacrimosa_novel, and @annakashina.

Watch this trailer for a preview of the the story and the magical world of LACRIMOSA OF DANA:

Next up: cover reveal and preorder links coming up in March. Stay tuned!

Kirkus Review: THE REALITY, MYTHOLOGY, AND FANTASIES OF UNICORNS by W. B. J. Williams is “a serious, concise, and erudite exploration of a longtime myth.”

A scholarly examination of unicorn folklore weaves its way through art and archaeology.

Williams uses the research he compiled for his novel, The Garden at the Roof of the World(2013), to trace the evolution of the unicorn myth through European and Eastern cultures. From the Hebrew re’em, associated with the tabernacle, to the Chinese qilin, a heavenly messenger that foretold the greatness of Confucius, the author pursues the unicorn through the historical and archaeological record. Along the way, he finds nothing resembling the single-horned horse of contemporary fantasy but does find a menagerie of bull- and goatlike creatures as well as hare and feline varieties depicted in Islamic art and literature. While exploring specific myths, such as the enmity between the unicorn and the lion, Williams discovers an association between unicorns and the moon in heraldry in Assyrian and Babylonian art and a metaphor for spiritual development in the tradition of the unicorn hunt: “The hunt for the unicorn is the hunt for God within the world.” Williams proposes his own theory about the origin of the unicorn early on, speculating that the extinct Elasmotherium, a single-horned relative of the rhino, may have survived long enough into human history to have inspired the legend’s iconography, finding support for his theory in the characteristics of the Islamic karkadan and in the writings of Marco Polo. Yet Williams is not credulous; he admits that his theory may be wishful thinking, and he’s similarly skeptical of conclusions reached by other authors. He also smartly anticipates readers’ possible criticisms—pointing out, for instance, that in ancient seals found in the Indus Valley, two-horned animals were shown with both horns even in profile. Williams gets bogged down at one point in a discussion of Sumerian and Assyrian myths, and a late chapter about unicorns in modern art and literature feels cursory. Overall, though, readers will find this to be a well-researched and illustrated exploration of an enduring legend.

A serious, concise, and erudite exploration of a longtime myth.

Buy it now at:

Check out the review at: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/wbj-williams/the-reality-mythology-and-fantasies-of-unicorns/

Happy Book Birthday: THE REALITY, MYTHOLOGY, AND FANTASIES OF UNICORNS by W. B. J. Williams

The Hunt for a Unicorn

The belief in unicorns as magical creatures is one that is rooted deeply in human history. They are featured in myths, legends, and folk tales from multiple cultures across the globe. In this volume, W.B.J. Williams, the author of the historical unicorn-themed fantasy “The Garden at the Roof of the World”, takes us on a journey through time to the dawn of civilization, for a fascinating take on the unicorn and its origins. Step into the worlds of magic, science, mythology, and the arts on your very own hunt for a unicorn.

Buy it now at:

Cover Reveal! On the Reality, Mythology, and Fantasies of Unicorns!

Puns, wimsey, odd poetry and mystical romps

The image comes from the beautify tapestry from the Lady and the Unicorn series known as La Vue (Sight) which currently hangs in the Musée de Cluny. WE chose this image for a number of reasons: to highlight the ever present mystical relationship between unicorns and women, because the tapestry also shows the lion (in this case defeated and subservient to both the Lady and the Unicorn), and it shows the grove of trees. The images of lady, unicorn, lion, and a sacred grove of trees re-occurs throughout human history, appearing together for the first time in ancient Sumer. There the Lady is the goddess Inanna, the daughter of the moon. The unicorn is also associated with the moon, throughout human history, but this, alas, is not depicted in the tapestry.

You can reserve a copy of the book on amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Reality-Mythology-Fantasies-Unicorns-ebook/dp/B0976GBH9C/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=dragonwell+publishing&qid=1623693634&sr=8-4

Alone of the tapestries in the series…

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THE KEY TO ALL THINGS by Cindy Lynn Speer

A brand-new romantic fantasy adventure from the bestselling author of THE CHOCOLATIER’S WIFE!

Every day, Lady Avriel hears the bards sing about the greatest love story of all times, a heartbreaking romance between a human nobleman, Captain Edward de Vere, and the beautiful Queen of the Fae, who shattered his heart when she abandoned him to accept her throne. Avriel secretly longs for the sad and romantic captain as she works as a double agent, serving at both human and fae courts to keep the peace between the two kingdoms.

But for three hours every night she remembers a completely different world, where the greatest love story is a lie, and Edward belongs to her. She believes this reality to be the true one, even if no one else does. The world has fallen under a spell, and it is up to Avriel to find its source and undo it. To set things right, Avriel must face the all-powerful Elder Fae and confront the darkest powers that rule her destiny – only to learn that if she proceeds, her actions will bring chaos and open her kingdom to destruction. Is this a choice she is willing to make to bring her love back?

Beautifully presented with the original cover art by the award-winning author Howard David Johnson, THE KEY TO ALL THINGS features a highly original take on
magic and the power of storytelling.

Pre-order now from any major retailer!

Upcoming from Dragonwell Publishing: DEVIL’S WAYS anthology

“Readers are in for a devilish twist.” — Publishers Weekly

There is no light without dark; no highlights without shadows; no good without evil. The Devil is where things happen. Where stories begin. This collection brings together stories from multiple cultures, featuring the Devil both as an abstract concept and a creature, a terror, a force of nature, an enemy, a trickster, and so many more.

Step into the world of shadows, and travel through Devil’s many incarnations spanning centuries of history and myth, from the Ancient Greece, African and Caribbean folklore, dark ages in Europe, all the way to the present day.

Are you a book reviewer? Check it out on NetGalley, going live at the end of the day tomorrow, at the following link:

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/185962

Are you a reader? Preorder a copy now, at the following links:

https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Ways-anthology-various-authors-ebook/dp/B085VJK2RK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=devil%27s+ways+michael+swanwick&qid=1585667827&sr=8-1

(More links coming up soon, please stay tuned)

ONCE UPON A CURSE — last call!

Next week, ONCE UPON A CURSE, our beloved anthology of dark fairy tales, is going out of print! One last time, we are holding a sale for this enchanting title, which has been one of our top sellers for the last 5 years! Beautifully presented with the cover by Howard David Johnson, it features some of the best stories from such celebrated authors as Peter Beagle, Nancy Kress, Patricia Wrede, and many others.

Hurry to grab your own copy for $2.99, less than 40% of the original price, at the following link:

https://www.publisherspick.com/

Dragonwell Publishing Year-End Sale!

Do you enjoy good speculative fiction? Hurry to grab some of the top selling Dragonwell books at an unbeatable price on Amazon:

Happy Holidays from the Dragonwell team!