I write swashbuckling fantasy novels in hopes that will make me a swashbuckler. Latest book: THE MALEVOLENT EIGHT. Posts appear with extra content on Bluesky.
Joined January 2008
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I love the idea of an enigmatic stranger turning a city upside down! 🕵️♂️ In #OurLadyOfBlades, I wanted to keep their identity a mystery much longer than Dumas did with Edmond in #CountOfMonteCristo. #BookTalk #Fantasy
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“I know only that my king tried to bring a measure of fairness and mercy to the people of this land.”
-Falcio
#characterquote #fantasy
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Fun Castle Fact: Château Royal d'Amboise
Did you know the towers use ramps instead of stairs so the King could ride his horse from the ground level all the way to the roof gardens.
Location: Amboise, France
Year of Updates: 1492
#history
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Every fantasy novel starts with a bad decision! 📚✨ I chatted with @TheBrokenBinding about storytelling, magic, and The Malevolent Eight. Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=FJeJ-eVg… #Fantasy #BookChat
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Sebastien de Castell retweeted
Jun 3
I am not sure if readers have noticed, but we have quietly entered a new Golden Era of Fantasy writing. Our Lady of Blades by @decastell is masterfully written, by an author at their peak.
Out now
My @sfbook review: sfbook.com/our-lady-of-blade…
Thank you @arcadia_books @OkojieAyo
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I think Knight’s Shadow has more explicitly shocking scenes, but Our Lady of Blades has a sharper tone of danger throughout. The Greatcoats books are idealistic in nature, so that can soften the edges of dark scenes somewhat. Our Lady has a more suspense-oriented approach.
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“You’re an idiot, Falcio. He’ll turn the snow red with your blood
before this is done.”
- Quillata
decastell.com/book/tyrants-t…
#fantasy #characterquote
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Early French fencing foils were lightweight training tools with flexible, blunt tips. They helped students practice thrust techniques safely before facing real duels. 🗡️ #SwordFact #Fencing #MartialArts
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If you love breathtaking duels, diabolical villains and heroes tested to breaking point, then don’t wait – step into the ring with Our Lady of Blades.
—Katja Kaine
Author of Blood of Gods & Girls
#feedback #author #ourladyofblades
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This is an excellent opportunity for writers to see inside the workings of a debut novel. It helps that @KatjaLKaine’s storytelling is excellent! Exclusive webinar, lifetime license giveaway and more when you pre-order Blood of Gods and Girls preview.mailerlite.com/z4i6d…
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It’s always strange re-reading one of your own books –especially your debut novel. But as I’m going to be embarking on a new Greatcoats novel in the fall, I figured it was time to spend some time with my benighted order of swashbuckling magistrates.
#currentlyreading #fantasy
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It took me 7 years to master the craft for "Our Lady of Blades." Now, I can weave character secrets into a story that flows naturally while keeping twists surprising! 📚✨ #BookTalk #AmWriting
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Fun Castle Fact: Houska Castle
All defenses face inward. It was built to "seal" a hole in the ground that locals believed was a gateway to Hell.
Location: Blatce, Czech Republic
Renaissance Reno: 1584
Size: Compact stone fortress
#castlefact #historyfact
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Thanks to @paulsemel for the chat! We dove into The Malevolent Eight, dangerous magic, and those tough decisions that change everything. My characters show that power and wisdom rarely go hand in hand.
Read the interview here: paulsemel.com/exclusive-inte…
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I am absolutely loving the hardcore emphasis on form and precision in this style of foil fencing. Now, I just need to get good at it . . .
#foilfencing #mondayupdate
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King’s Magistrate Estevar Borros prefers investigating supernatural crimes to overseeing mundane trials, but when an inexplicable fight breaks out in his courtroom, he’s forced to duel a spirit viler than he’s ever known.
decastell.com/book/duel-with…
#shortstory #booktalk
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“You’re wondering if you could take me in a fight.
You’d last four moves.”
~Kest
decastell.com/book/knights-s…
#fantasy #bookquote #bookchat
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The 18th-century Indian katar features an H-shaped handle & a straight blade, perfect for close combat. Worn by Rajput nobles or Mughal warriors, it was deadly in grappling! ⚔️ #History #IndianWeapons #MartialArts
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