It’s time to talk to you about monsters and feral elves and…The Monster Of Selkirk.
So basically: excellent news š¤
Today I’m on the book tour for The Monsters of Selkirk (book 1), The Duality of Nature by C.E. Clatyon. I’m teaming up with MTMC Tours for this aaaand if you stop by my instagram there is an INTL giveaway happening. Because you don’t have enough books and you need more. I can see it in your eyes.
So I’m doing something a little different instead of a traditional review. Getting my creative hat ON.
I’ll be telling you my top 5 favourite moments from the book!
And of course pls admire my pretty photos of this stunning cover.š
Monsters do not hide under the bed on the Island of Selkirk. Monsters haunt the forests in the form of feral elves with knife sharp teeth, vicious talons, and sickly, glowing yellow eyes. For centuries the people of Selkirk have fought these monsters, enacting a Clearing every four years to push the elves back from their borders. Then, after one such Clearing, a babe is found abandoned in the wreckage.
Tallis only desires a path of her choosing, to live without attention or interference. Along with her friends, she dreams of leaving Kincardine and going where no one knows them, to live unhindered by the prejudice that comes of being poor, an outsider, an orphan. All Tallis needs is enough coin, and sheāll be free. But the monsters have other plans.
Hissing her name like a battle mantra, the elves pour into Kincardine, devouring and burning everything in their path. Fleeing her home in secret, Tallis and her friends must discover why the creatures are so intent on finding her, and stop them from framing her as the real monster of Selkirk.
Amazon | Book Depository| Goodreads
C.E. Clayton was born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area, where she attended the University of Southern California for both her Bachelors and Masters, and then worked in the advertising industry for several years on accounts ranging from fast food, to cars, and video games (her personal favorite). After going the traditional career route and becoming restless, she went back to her first loveāwritingāand hasnāt stopped. She is now the author of āThe Monster of Selkirkā series and her horror short stories have appeared in anthologies across the country. When sheās not writing you can find her treating her fur-babies like humans, constantly drinking tea, and trying to convince her husband to go to more concerts. And reading. She does read quite a bit. More about C.E. Clayton, including her blog, book reviews, and poetry, can be found on her website.
Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook
1. When Tallis starts feeling a connection to the trees…
Look I love trees and deep, mysterious woods and people with undeniable connections to the flora. There’s a lot of intrigue aboutĀ what is up with TallisĀ — which you do have to keep reading the whole series to get more answers! šBut it’s like how you can trust someone who likes dogs. You can TRUST the tree lovers.
2. Tallis’ love of BOOKS
Here for girls who are badass with swords, a little odd and don’t fit in, and also love books. I can’t think of a better combination, to be honest. Tallis finds refuge in the monastery full of books (where she first meets Tomas because he keeps the library secretly unlocked for her) and she devours all the wonders of the world told in inky pages.
3. Tomas being a dorky shy genius and Tallis defending him
Look if you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time, you’ve probably picekd up the fact that I LOVE the Soft Boisā¢. Like forget all other things, I am here for the ones who are gentle and lost in their heads and, quite frequently, need the love of their life (who has a badass sword) to stick up for them because they’re too shy to do it. Tomas is pretty much an outcast in their squad at first because he’s new and Tallis plucks him to come along at the last minute. He’s not a fighter, so Donovan is suspicious. He’s not confident, so Rosslyn is dismissive. And he’s a nerdy science genius, so TALLIS IS SMITTEN.
4. The fractious squad arguments š
I adore books with squads and here we have: Tallis, her older cousin Donovan, her best friend Rosslyn, and the awkward monastery novice Tomas. They are NOT the seamless squad that gets along instantly. šDonovan gets overprotective. Tallis is being haunted by feral elves and is kind of a headstrong mess. Rosslyn is very carefree and not a natural teamworker. And Tomas is scared he doesn’t fit in at all. They’re all on a roadtrip to find answers about WHO Tallis is, and what is her connection to the elves and the trees. And I just love their arc! Character development all round.
There are fights and snark. But they also have each other’s backs.
5. Every time Tallis basically has a sword
Because, not gonna lie, there is nothing more perfect in this world than a girl with a sword. And Tallis trains properly too! I appreciate when fantasy has characters who aren’t effortlessly perfect at things.
Don’t forgeeeeeet to stop by my instagram to enter the giveaway!! and I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into the world of Selkirk!
| what did you think? |
have you been reading much epic fantasy lately? who is your favourite sword-wielding heroine? and has this series piqued your interest? tell me aaaaall
I hadn’t heard of this one but it’s going to be the next book I pick up! Thanks so much for sharing and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Aw thanks for being excited for it š¤
The characters sound like so much fun! I love soft bois and strong girls too, so I’m excited to get my hands on this one. š Thanks for sharing!
I am absolutely weak for that combo š