Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the cover art by Matthew Perry for Stephen Zimmer's
Chronicles of Ave, Volume 1, a brand new collection of fantasy short stories set in the world of Ave that is the primary setting for his Fires in Eden Series.
The new release features six tales, including the novella-length "Winter's Embrace". It will be issued in eBook formats on Wednesday, September 4, with the print version to be released the following week.
The tales are stand-alone short stories that do not require familiarity with the Fires in Eden novels. However, those who have read the novels will find their experience of the world of Ave broadened and deepened.
"These stories give me a chance to explore many things I am only able to briefly mention or reference in the Fires in Eden Series," Stephen explained. "They also give me a chance to allow readers an introduction to areas of Ave that have not been portrayed in the novel series as of yet."
The stories exhibit a range of settings, styles, and characters displaying the diverse kinds of cultures and lands to be found in Ave. Volume 1 features the following tales:
“Into Glory Ride” tells the story of a young Trogen Warrior
who is called to go up against insurmountable odds when Elves raid his
homeland. The Trogens have only begun
training winged steeds for combat, but time is of the essence and a choice has
to be made by the young warrior.
In “A Touch of Serenity” a conscript laborer working on a
massive wall constructed under the orders of the Divine Emperor begins to hear
ghostly voices asking for help. His
response leads him on a journey that will test his courage, wisdom, and
compassion.
In “Moonlight’s Grace” a young man goes to help his people
when a Midragardan raid strikes Gael. He
seeks to prove his worth to the chieftain whose daughter he loves with all his
heart.
The novella-length “Winter’s Embrace” follows a warrior-monk
deep into dangerous woodlands in the heart of winter. There he will find his faith tested in ways
he never anticipated, when he must help a forest witch against an enigmatic,
immortal being known as the Undying.
“Lion Heart” introduces the heroic Sigananda of the Amazu
people, who must confront things that transcend the laws of the physical world
when powerful Wizards threaten his homeland.
In “Land of Shadow”, a knight who is part of a band of
Avanoran mercenaries discovers how perilous the mysterious Shadowlands are when
they undertake a journey to locate a site to build a fortress.
Seventh Star Press is a publisher of speculative fiction based in Lexington, Kentucky.
