Beneath the Forsaken City

Beneath the Forsaken City

Beneath the Forsaken City

 

About the Book Beneath the Forsaken City

 

Beneath the Forsaken City

 

Book: Beneath the Forsaken City

Author: Carla Laureano

Genre: Fantasy

Release date: June 8, 2021

 

With a storm on the horizon, who will stand against the darkness?
 
Conor and Aine have barely escaped Seare with their lives. Conor knows he must return to find the harp that could end the Red Druid’s reign of terror, but he must first see Aine safely to her family home on the isle of Amanta. When an unnatural storm tears them apart, they find themselves in even more danger than that which they fled.
 
Because magic is not the only thing to fear in Aine’s homeland, where the Sofarende invaders harry the coasts and shifting clan alliances make it impossible to know who to trust. Conor and Aine must cling to the whispers of Comdiu’s plans for them and their enduring love for one another, even when the future looks darkest.
 
But with betrayal at every turn, will they give in to fear? Or will they learn to depend on Comdiu completely … before all hope is lost?
 
 
Click here to get your copy!
 

 My Thoughts on Beneath the Forsaken City

This is book two of a trilogy.  I have to say that I have been enjoying this series even though this genre isn’t my favorite.  It might have something to do with the characters names though.  We have a little girl named Ainne and a boy named Liam in our little Irish household so I’m partial to the names!

I like the parallel to God and how this book does have a bit of The Lord of the Rings and Narnia flare to it though definitely written for a slightly older audience as you do have the two main characters being married.

For this book and series I would rate them as clean Christian fantasy fiction.  The characters are somewhat relatable even though they have mystical powers etc.  I like the parallels of the good vs the evil of the magic world as that can even be part of our everyday life now as there are still realms of dark magic.

Overall I think this is a great young adult into adult fiction book and I highly recommend you read the series in order to get the most from the books. 

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

 

About the Author of Beneath the Forsaken City

 

Beneath the Forsaken City

 

Carla Laureano is the two-time RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.
 

More from Carla

Fictional Magic… and Why It Matters to Us

The first book in the Song of Seare series introduced the culture, religion, and characters of my fictional universe, but it’s this second book, Beneath the Forsaken City, that really delves into the magic of the world, both light, and dark.

The light magic in the series comes directly from Comdiu (their version of the Christian God), given as gifts to his people to be used in His service. I approached the creation of this magic much as the real-world church views spiritual gifts: everyone might have a different gift, some people may have more than one, but all of them are meant to be used within the context of God’s commands and promises. They come from a purely good source, but when used for our own glory or for selfish ends or even just without full understanding, they have the potential to be twisted into something that’s harmful or ineffective.

In Beneath the Forsaken City, Aine learns how carefully she must wield her powers in order not to sow discord in those around her; Conor must come to grips with the limits and the boundaries of his own abilities, battling the ever-present temptation of pride.

The Dark Magic

The dark magic, on the other hand, comes from the Adversary either in the form of sorcery or in the powers of the sidhe, the spirits who haunt the isle of Seare and beyond. For this, I delved both into the Celtic myths and fairie tales as well as neo-pagan rituals, particularly for details on scrying. I approached the topic thinking it was a somewhat harmless, if ineffective, practice and left with a deep sense of spiritual unease—this is the type of thing the Bible warns against when it forbids divination and witchcraft. Consequently, when Conor is approached with the opportunity to scry for an answer he desperately needs, he battles the temptation of his own desires against his very clear understanding that it’s dark, forbidden magic.

Some of this may seem academic to the modern Christian reader—most of us aren’t going to be tempted by dark magic or pagan rituals. But I meant it to reflect a warning and a lesson in our larger walk with Christ. Things that come from darkness can never be used for light, even when our intentions are good—God has forbidden them for a reason, because of their danger to ourselves, others, or the integrity of our own souls. Even the gifts and abilities that have been God-given for the use of His kingdom can be corrupted by sin if we’re not anchored to the heart and purpose of Christ.

That’s why my deepest wish is that readers of Beneath the Forsaken City will look beyond the fantasy elements of Seare to the real-world lessons beneath—and be both warned and encouraged in their own spiritual walks.

 

Blog Stops for Beneath the Forsaken City

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 27

Worthy2Read, June 27

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 28

Inklings and notions, June 29

Texas Book-aholic, June 30

For Him and My Family, July 1

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, July 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 3

deb’s Book Review, July 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 6

Blogging With Carol, July 7

Labor Not in Vain, July 8

Mia Reads, July 8

A Baker’s Perspective, July 9

 

Giveaway for Beneath the Forsaken City

 

Beneath the Forsaken City

 

To celebrate her tour, Carla is giving away the grand prize package of a limited-edition hardcover of Beneath the Forsaken City and a sterling silver Celtic pendant!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10e08/beneath-the-forsaken-city-celebration-tour-giveaway

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6 Comments

  1. Caryl Kane

    Erin, Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

    1. Erin S.

      Thank you for taking the time to stop by!

  2. Jeanna Massman

    I love the cover. The colors and design are great.

    1. Erin S.

      Thank you for taking the time to stop by!

  3. Julie Waldron

    The book cover is beautiful, it really draws you in.

    1. Erin S.

      Thank you for taking the time to stop by!

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