Fantasy Book Critic: Guest Post & Cover Reveal: Fool's Promise by Angela Boord

As a reader, I love trying to figure out how a cover relates to the story before I check out the blurb, and John Anthony De Giovanni has an amazing ability to make art and title resonate. I sent John an early draft of Fool’s Promise—the draft with the original boring part 1, before I rewrote it roughly a million times—and gave him my usual vague thoughts about how probably Arsenault should be on the cover since Fool’s Promise is really his book, and I thought it would be good to show him holding the dagger he uses to make the “fool’s promise” that gives the book its name.

John sent me three sketches and at the last minute added a very brief sketch of a fourth. Strangely, even though it was much less detailed, Arsenault’s personality jumped out at me from that fourth sketch. When I chose it over the others, John confessed he’d included it on the spur of the moment—so I can only conclude that Arsenault knew what he wanted and was whispering in John’s ear.

I love the “let’s seal this vow with blood” trope (so of course I put it in my book), and I think John did a fantastic job of capturing Arsenault’s mix of determination and protectiveness. He has a “don’t mess with me, I’m serious about this” expression that I love. The core of Fool’s Promise has always been built around Kyrra and Arsenault’s relationship; it was probably the easiest of all my books to title, but it was a difficult book to write because it’s about what happens after the “happily ever after”. I wanted it to be a book about commitment and recovery—physical, mental, and emotional. And I think John has captured that vision perfectly.

I feel really lucky to have worked with John and Shawn T. King on three covers now, because I feel like they are both able to take the feeling I put into my books and translate it into imagery and typography. It might sound trite, but there is something magical and humbling about being able to see the people who have only been living in my own head. They’ve always seemed real to me, but now they're real for other people, too. That will never stop being an incredible feeling.

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Official Release Date: June 27th 2024

Official Book Blurb: Will love be enough to bind these two broken souls?

Reunited after years of separation, Kyrra and Arsenault long for a peaceful life together. But the magic keeping Kyrra alive is also tearing her apart. When a mysterious piece of ancient metal falls into Arsenault’s hands, he gambles that it will prove to be Kyrra’s salvation despite the secrets from his past it threatens to reveal.

Kyrra is willing to sacrifice everything to free Arsenault from the vengeful god who haunts him, even if it means embracing the magic killing her. But Liera is on the brink of war again, and an unlikely alliance with her greatest enemy may be the only way to save it from destruction.

With their love tested by powerful forces, Kyrra and Arsenault face a heart-breaking decision between their own happiness and the greater good. As the dark truth begins to unravel, can their promise hold—or will they find it was a fool’s promise after all?

Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster in Fool's Promise, the exciting second book in the award-winning Eterean Empire epic fantasy series by Angela Boord. If you like rich worldbuilding, complex characters, and epic love stories, then you won't want to miss this thrilling tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption.