I am thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the THE STAFF OF BECKONING by Praneet Menon Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out
my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Author: Praneet Menon
Pub. Date: September 18, 2024
Publisher: Kaaran Publishing
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Pages: 390
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/symphony1
"Menon’s storytelling is sharp and deliberate, blending
high-stakes action with introspective moments ... Addictively readable!" —BookView Review
The more we know, the less we understand ...
In the meticulously-crafted world of Leakarha, where epic fantasy,
mythos, and ancient prophecies intertwine, the existence of its inhabitants is
shaped by forces beyond their control.
Adir Nathar's tough childhood and prescriptive, quiet life in the village
of Marafel made him yearn for more. He got what he wished for,
but not in the way he expected. His proximity to an inexplicable death made him
the target of revenge, forcing him to flee from his family and home, seeking
only safety and a fresh start. But existence had other plans.
The Khasmia Shadow, a secret society with a
divine purpose, is hunting Adir, unbeknownst to him. Their purpose: rid the
world of a destructive creature called a venna, using the
sacred Staff of Beckoning. Leakarha itself is undergoing a seismic
shift. Rakhor, terrible demonspawn, are being seen in increasing
numbers!
As the Khasmia Shadow closes in on him, Adir is thrust into
an existence-altering journey across Leakarha with companions new and old.
Driven deeper into his own shadows, Adir starts to realize that he may not
merely be a piece to be moved but rather the key to the game itself.
The Staff of Beckoning, the first book in the series A Symphony
of Spheres, is an epic fantasy tale of identity, destiny, and purpose.
Blending elements from science fiction, mythology, and dark fantasy, this
gripping narrative is perfect for readers who enjoy complex characters,
intricate world-building, and expansive sagas. If you've enjoyed series
like The Wheel of Time, The Kingkiller Chronicle,
and The Prince of Nothing, then this book is for you.
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YOUR POST OR REVIEW HERE!
About Praneet Menon:
Born and raised in India, Praneet’s life began immersed in a medley of cultural, linguistic, and spiritual traditions that sparked his passion for storytelling. Then, he moved to the United States and has now spent more than half his life there. The two cultural backgrounds have led him to embrace a fusion of Eastern and Western philosophies that deeply influence his writing.
Praneet also spent the better part of two decades working as an engineer and flight instructor, which instilled in him a precision that he brings to his existence-building, pursuing that perfect blend of reality and fantasy. His exploration of philosophy and psychology at an early age allows him to imbue his stories with age-old themes of identity, purpose, and destiny. These themes play a central role in his debut novel, The Staff of Beckoning, Book 1 of the series A Symphony of Spheres.
Praneet lives in Vermont, embracing a homesteading lifestyle, community involvement, and writing while pursuing a master’s in counseling.
Interview
For the readers: can
you tell us a little bit aboutyour bookand the characters?
The Staff of
Beckoning is the first
installment of the series A Symphony of Spheres. It depicts human
stories through an epic fantasy lens, blending in some prophecy and mythology. Told
through multiple perspectives, the narrative explores how the characters are
shaped by the beliefs instilled by their culture, the stories about those they
see as others, and their own lived experiences. Add into this the fantastical
world of Leakarha, where the inhabitants have varying levels of understanding
of its true nature, from utter disbelief to unbound zeal.
The story mainly
follows Adir Nathar, whose mundane and undesirable life is upended when he
becomes the target of revenge and is forced to flee his home and family. He is
joined by Tia, who wants nothing more than to have a life with Adir. On their
way, they meet Ghareeb, a man with an interesting past, and the trio form an
unlikely alliance in their quest for a new life. But, unbeknownst to Adir, he
is hunted by the Khasmia Shadow, a secret society with a divine mission to rid
the world of a creature of doom called the venna.
Other characters include
Adir's father, Arvan, a military man now living the life of a herdsman wishing
to pass on his legacy to a broken family. Then there is Ekren Arinol, the
Regent of Ostarium, and her daughter Dina, entwined in governance and
international politics. There are many
others, too, each playing a vital role in exploring how identity, destiny, and
purpose influence their perceptions and actions.
I hope you enjoy
them all.
What are you working
on now?
I am happy to
announce that I have completed the main outline for the second book in the A
Symphony of Spheres series. But, who am I kidding? This initial outline
will definitely succumb to the wrath of my first draft, morphing into something
worthy of a manuscript.
Were any of the
characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?
Yes, most characters
are inspired by people I’ve met throughout my life, though all are really
amalgams of different life experiences, making them unique in their own right.
Rein Maranda (Adir’s best friend) and Arvan Nathar (Adir’s father) were
inspired by one of my college friends and his father, respectively. Ekren
Arinol is loosely based on a teacher I had in 8th grade.
Who was your favorite
character to write? What about your least favorite?
EkrenArinol, the
Regent of Ostarium, was my favorite character to write. She holds herself with
strength and grace, whether ruling Ostarium as the Regent or embracing her
maternal aspects as Dina’s mother. She strives to ensure an advantageous future
by controlling the present with an understanding of the past.
My least favorite
was Uaqui, the Khasmia Shadow operative. His disregard for anything but his
mission, influenced by his zeal, was a tough mindset to adopt while writing his
scenes.
What is your favorite
passage/scene in your book?
My favorite scene in
the book is the one with the Regional Games. Adir is talked into competing in
the staff tournament by Rein despite severe reservations about his skills.
However, when tested in his bouts, he is pleasantly surprised that he can stand
his ground. This scene speaks to emotions we all feel when attempting a
difficult task for the first time and learning that we are capable of more than
we perceive.
Here’s a little
snippet:
Muhain walked up,
eyes determined, but Adir was not perturbed. He felt a strong determination
within himself. Something in him seemed to have clicked.
As Adir proved
the distance and assumed the ready stance, a surge of energy radiated through
him, ready to burst out. He could hear his heart beating. He could feel the
staff in his grip. He could smell the dirt underneath his feet. He dug in his
front foot.
What kind of research
did you have to do for the story?
I researched words
in different languages to use as names or terms used in different places. I
wanted to add a small touch of our reality into the imagined existence of the
story. Additionally, I have spent years immersed in philosophy, both Eastern
and Western, and am a student of psychology. Concepts like duty, reincarnation,
free will, and the afterlife that stem from my experience and study are
explored through the characters’ cultural perspectives.
Lightning Round Questions
What are you reading right now? Or what do
you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?
Re-reading Rhythm of War – Brandon
Sanderson in preparation for Wind and Truth.
Favorite social media site?
Facebook
Favorite Superhero or Villain?
Ironman
Favorite TV show?
The Office
Sweet or Salty?
Salty
Any Phobias?
None that I know of
Song you can’t get enough of right now?
Kryptonite – 3 Doors Down
2024Movie you’re most looking forward to?
Not much of a movie person
Do you play video games? If so what are
some of your favorites?
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Elden Ring, the Nioh games — basically action-RPGs!
Website| Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
Giveaway Details:
3 winners
will receive an eBook of THE STAFF OF BECKONING, International.
Ends October 29th, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
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10/14/2024 |
Guest Post |
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10/15/2024 |
Interview/IG Post |
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10/16/2024 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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10/17/2024 |
Guest Post/IG Post |
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10/18/2024 |
IG Post/TikTok Post |
Week Two:
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10/21/2024 |
IG Review |
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10/22/2024 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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10/23/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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10/24/2024 |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
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10/25/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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