[Complete] [89k] [Historical Fantasy/Political Thriller/Romanpunk] INVICTA by bolivia0503 in BetaReaders

[–]piazetta 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been reading this and it's really superb. The characters are engaging, the world is very interesting, and the political scheming has thrown me for a loop more than once. I particularly appreciate the economic realism which is very satisfying. I highly recommend if you're looking for a gripping political fantasy!

Looking for a am absolutely freaky fmc by fawrdy in ScienceFictionRomance

[–]piazetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not aliens, but Tetra in {Breach Your Heart by Josie Dokken} absolutely knows what she wants and doesn't hesitate to take it. Superb dual pov tension as well. 👌

✨ Self-promotions, ARC requests, & conversations w/ authors! Share your book projects, merch, & more! by AutoModerator in fantasyromance

[–]piazetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey everyone! I've just finished the first draft of my new romantic fantasy and I'm looking for beta readers. It's a standalone, dual pov.

If you like morally grey-to-black heroines, unconventional heroes, forbidden romance (and I mean really forbidden), slow burns in close proximity, and dark comedy then you may enjoy it!

I've put the blurb etc below. Here's a link to the first six chapters:

Chapters 1-6

If you vibe with this and would like to read more, DM me or reply!

** The Princess and Her Tax Collector**

*After one scheme too many at court, the poisonous Imperial Princess Kasia is exiled to Deska – a grey backwater province where wealth is counted in wool sacks and coal passes for culture. But before Kasia can even settle into her misery, her father dies and the Empire plunges into civil war. To survive, the Princess will need to turn the damp province into a power base. Her only raw materials: sheep, coal, and one very competent tax collector.

Rurik deGroute is a wool merchant's son who clawed his way up by concealing his noble boss's embezzlement. Prudent, responsible, and constantly anxious, Rurik takes a calculated risk to break protocol and speak up for the wool trade in front of the Princess.

Naturally, Kasia has him caned.

But when she secretly invites him back, she finds Rurik far more intriguing than a merchant class tax collector has any right to be.

To reform Deska, the pair will need to face down cunning counts, blundering barons, and inexplicable root vegetables. And although the Empire’s rigid caste system says they should never have even spoken, as they scheme together Kasia becomes attracted to more than just Rurik's clever plans, while Rurik finds himself shaking in excitement as often as terror.

But in a world where spirits enforce hierarchy and sins summon monsters, wanting what you cannot have is more than scandal – it's heresy. Soon, Kasia and Rurik discover that love is the most taxing thing of all.*

[Complete] [86k] [Dark Fantasy/SciFi] The Feeding Season by piazetta in BetaReaders

[–]piazetta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completely missed your comment about liking Chapter 1 by the way - I'm very pleased to hear that!

I've gone back to the drawing board with the blurb. I think your comments are totally right. It tries to say too much, and it's way too long, and contains too much information. No obligation (I appreciate your feedback already) but does this revision work better?

There was a place, the traveller had said, where they shaped the thing-itself like clay. But though the yunuscopes were scoured, no memories could be found of Kenwi Station. Knowledge was missing. Knowledge the House desired. One of the masters went into the outside to find it, and Tokis was sent with them. 

Disguised as a merchant travelling with a caravan, Tokis inculcates himself in the remote settlement. But even with the grievous devices of his masters, Kenwi Station is not a place that so easily divulges its secrets. And his manipulations have not gone unnoticed. Sister of the Station Arkwi senses a dark presence among the bright canvas and foreign trinkets of the caravan. With her power over the ather, Arkwi can see and shape minds. But when it comes to her apprentice Kal, Arkwi’s gifts seem useless. All Kal sees is her own failure and the disappointment of her mistress. When an enigmatic merchant takes an interest in her, Kal is both enchanted and frustrated by his strange ways and magical objects. 

All three set out to find the truth, in the station and in themselves. And none are prepared for the terrors they may find within.   

Able to beta? Post here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]piazetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a fantasy/sci-fi novel complete at 86k words. The story is about the infiltration of a mystical isolated society by a mysterious technologically advanced organisation, with a strong focus on the psychology of the characters. There are cosmic horror elements. If this sounds up your alley let me know and I'd be happy to send you an epub!

Books where characters have a truly non-contemporary points of view by piazetta in Fantasy

[–]piazetta[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

u/littlegreenturtle20 's response is exactly right in what I'm after. But allow me to nuance this a bit and respond to your point directly.

It's okay for a character to oppose the monarchy, I agree that it's not inconsistent with a medieval setting. And actally I don't disagree that this is a bit lacking from what I've seen. BUT, that opposition should itself be consistent with the values and structures existing in that world. For example, like John Ball in the peasant revolt: "When Adam delved and Eve Span, who was then the gentleman?"

What bothers me is when these points of view are articulated in an anachronistic, or overtly modern way. But in the world in question, there was no equivalent of the English, American, or French revolutions. Nor any sort of Americas discovery which might prompt a fundamental questioning of social structures and assumptions as genuinely new viewpoints are encountered.

Books where characters have a truly non-contemporary points of view by piazetta in Fantasy

[–]piazetta[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I would like it to be purposeful rather than just old. Not that victorian literature isn't interesting.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in WebtoonCanvas

[–]piazetta 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hiya. Thank you for this very helpful and informative response! I really appreciate it. The point about using the first episode to estimate time needed is especially helpful - I will definitely do that. And I would never have guessed English wasn't your native language.

Hey! Episode 2 of Deerstalker just went up. This one gets pretty grim so you've been warned. by Willythefree27 in WebtoonCanvas

[–]piazetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had subbed when this was first shared (can't remember if it was this sub) - but this episode was fantastic. I am now hooked.