The Nightshade City hardcover arrived at my door last Friday! I have to tell you, holding the ARC in my hands was amazing, but holding the actual hardcover, the book that will be sold in stores, feeling that raised gold font on the jacket, heck, even seeing the bar code, is an unforgettable experience! On top of that, I finally got to see the amazing interior illustrations Omar Rayyan created. Below are some key players I'd love to introduce!
Killdeer is the High Minister of the Catacombs. He is large and in charge and someone you don't want to mess with--rather a nasty rat, who's quite convinced the world revolves around him. He is suave and charming and the only thing worse than being out of his Oshi berry wine, is having to actually run his kingdom.
Billycan is Killdeer's second in command. He's left with the duties of running the Catacombs, not to mention cleaning up after Killdeer's messes. He is the Commander of the Kill Army and the High Collector of Stipend. He's an albino. To be exact, the only albino left in existence. An ex-lab rat, Billycan has a fondness for brutality, not to mention collecting a misplaced tongue or two. In other words, not a kindly fellow.
Coming of age in the oppressive Catacombs, brothers Vincent and Victor Nightshade finally escape, avoiding mandatory recruitment into Killdeer's Kill Army. They soon realize their father, Julius Nightshade, was a very important rat--whose memory still shines brightly. They also learn life is meant to be lived, not just survived.
Mother Gallo is a kindly soul, forced to work as the High Mistress of the Robes, a seamstress for Killdeer and his army. She does her job and she does it well, but she's hiding a secret--and a very dangerous one at that. Juniper Belancort--a rat among rats. Juniper knows to well of Killdeer, Billycan and their crimes against the rats of the Catacombs. He is a rat of principle, a rat who believes in doing what's right and never letting a few decide the fate of many.
So there you have it. A few of the Nightshade City players! Only 3.5 months until they are sitting on a shelf near you!
Happy reading!
xoxo -- Hilary
O.M.G. This is SO awesome!!!! LOVE IT!!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteI can't wait Hil!!
ReplyDeleteOMG i want to read this EVEN MORE now!
ReplyDeleteToo. Cool. :)
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! So excited for you, Hilary!
ReplyDeleteSuper awesome! My son is chomping at the bit! He can't wait to get his hands on this!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome experience. And your characters sound fabulous. Looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of the book.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I just love this style of drawing. So classic!
ReplyDeleteThose illustrations are absolutely wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWow!
Ooh I can't wait, mine is on order with amazon :-)
ReplyDeletethese are so great!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey are almost as cute as possums!!!!!!
Bwa ha ha ha haaaaa!
How great. Are there any of the worms???
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing achievement to see your creations given life in art as well as words. Congratulations, Hilary.
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic! Beautiful stuff!!
ReplyDeleteI'm SO excited for you!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome you got a copy of your book. A milestone. And thanks for sharing about your characters.
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing us to the crew! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI'm a kid at heart. I love illustrations in a book. How awesome.
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful moment! I understand completely. Every time I receive one of my books I just marvel that my baby is in print.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea. I love the art too. It really seems to capture their characters!
ReplyDeleteI love the illustrations! Wow. Can't wait to read this!
ReplyDeleteFantastic illustrations, and I'm sure the writing is even better! Thanks for sharing, Hilary.
ReplyDelete;-)
Still love the drawings. Super.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Juniper is my favorite! :) Reminds me of all good, adventurous heroes like Robin Hood and Zorro and the Scarlet Pimpernel...well, he just sounds amazing. :) Can't wait to read!
ReplyDeleteEee! I'm with Melody. Sounds like some heroes I want to read about!
ReplyDeleteSamantha, that's music to my ears!!! And that's not a pun on Melody's lovely name! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo -- Hilary
OMGoodness! I can't imagine the sensation of holding a hardback copy of my book. Congratulations! I am so excited for you! Your illustrations are great...I adore Mother Gallo. :)
ReplyDeleteJuniper, Carn, and Vincent are my favorites. All three are so bad***. Killdeer and his second in command, Billycan are as nasty as villains can be. The only bad*** thing Billycan does other then being a monster, is speaking in third person. That was pretty clever on the Author's part.
ReplyDelete