Preston Norton's BLÜD AND MAGICK

Synopsis:It is the story about a girl named Darla who was born from the ashes of the dead Shadow Lord, Remmus Alrad. As she comes to terms with her dark heritage, she not only has to prove to the world and to herself that she is not evil, but she has to avoid the threat of Remmus Alrad's followers, the Shadow Risers, who believe they can resurrect their master from her soul.

My thoughts: This book looks amazing to me! I've slowed down on accepting blot tour invites, wanting to represented only books I feel are interesting to my readers. This one caught my eye immediately! I can't wait to read it!

 Here is a guest post from the author, Preston Norton:

THE DARLA IN ALL OF US

 The dedication in the opening pages of BLÜD AND MAGICK reads, “If you feel like the world is against you, then you’re probably doing something right. I dedicate this book to you.” Now those who have read and reviewed BLÜD AND MAGICK have compared similarities to Harry Potter. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t aware of such similarities. In writing this novel, it was not my intention to recreate something similar to Harry Potter, but in actuality, to create an “anti-Harry-Potter.” Now that I have thoroughly confused everyone, let me explain. Harry Potter’s entire existence is based on the idea that he was born a hero. He was a hero before he was even capable of making a conscious decision.

Whereas Harry Potter is an instant celebrity, the protagonist of BLÜD AND MAGICK, Darla Summer, is an automatic outcast. She was born from the ashes of the dead Shadow Lord, Remmus Alrad. Most everyone in this world believes that she is some sort of reincarnation of the Shadow Lord and that she is most definitely the personification of evil. And honestly, under such circumstances, who wouldn’t? She is forced to live outside of the magical world in a fourteen-year probationary state, unaware of her dark origins, before she is deemed safe to attend the Alrad Academy of Blüd and Magick, founded by the Shadow Lord’s virtuous father, Amarant Alrad. However, Darla not only has to convince everyone else that she isn’t evil, but she also has to convince herself. And there are plenty of creepy things happening inside Darla’s head to give her doubts. And on top of that, Remmus Alrad’s followers, the Shadow Risers, are intent on somehow resurrecting their master from her soul. As the tagline to BLÜD AND MAGICK reads, “How do you fight your greatest enemy when he’s living inside you?”

Now these are obviously extreme circumstances, and the premise of my story is pure fantasy. Nevertheless, there are certain transcendent truths that I believe resonate with the human condition. I created the character of Darla Summer because I believe there’s a little bit of her in all of us. I believe we are all judged from preconceived notions that are out of are control. We are hated all too often simply for being who we are. I think this is especially true of children and teenagers who are simply trying to discover who they are and just want to fit in. I created Darla Summer for them. I believe she stands as a beacon of hope that says: Yes, there is good and beauty in all of us, and that goodness can overcome all else."

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