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Nature, Honor, and Belief
The Citadel follows a woman who faces her enemy to rescue her lover, a man who is the defender of his planet abducted by a religious order. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
By midway through The Matriarch, Achelous had acquired the attention of a number of powerful entities. At least two of them were hostile and driven by avarice. When you write the story, you let your characters act their part, and the religious order found Achelous first.
What was your favorite scene in this installment of the Dianis, A World In Turmoil Chronicles?
There are so many! Readers often cite the Halls of Norim, or when Sedge encounters the ULUP commissioners on board the Tempest Dare. Honorable mention certainly goes to Marisa when she threatens Em Auditor. I suppose my personal favorite is when Rachael and Fire Eye explore the dungeon of Ages Castle. However, when Rachael unleashes, for the first time, her kinetic energy to its full potential, and separately, when she snags Buzz Too off of Marisa’s shoulder, those are both classic.
How has character development for the main character changed for you through the series?
The main character started out as Achelous, but then Marisa’s force of nature, honor, and belief in all things good gradually takes over as she grows into her role of guardian of Dianis. She has more to learn and experience. Dianis will need her leadership.
Can readers look forward to a fourth book in the series? Where will it take your characters?
Yes, The Loch Norim is in draft. The Drakan Empire and the Western Alliance, supposed enemies, will face a new and surprising foe that neither is prepared for. The question is, will their pride keep them from uniting?
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After the mayhem and outrage of Achelous’s kidnapping, Marisa, his mistress and a trader princess, embarks on a mission of restitution. To rescue Achelous, she must go to the heart of her enemy, the Drakan Empire, and save him from Viscount Helprig. The Paleowright clergyman does not care what Achelous may know, just that he has blasphemed the Diunesis faith and shall be hung before the archbishop.
However, the commandant of the Drakan secret service is not so quick to execute. He suspects Achelous is an Avarian, an agent of a galactic federation, the very people the Paleowrights worship as gods.
Amidst the fight against corsairs raiding the planet, attacks by Paleowright armies, and the intervention of the Avaria Federation, Marisa must rescue Achelous, and if successful, can trigger a global war. Can one man be worth that outcome? The answer lies in what he knows.
The Citadel
Book three of the Dianis: A World in Turmoil series, The Citadel, immerses readers in a world where a diverse cast of characters battles for supremacy. The story is rich with fantasy elements embedded in a science-fiction framework, creating an epic adventure. As resources are sought, battles waged, and intrigue unfolds, readers will find themselves drawn into a complex and dynamic narrative.
Every aspect of The Citadel embodies the term ‘epic’. Comparable to A Song of Ice and Fire or The Iliad, this book is brimming with international and intergalactic conflicts, espionage, politicking, and combat. Dravis demonstrates an exceptional understanding of his world, dedicating significant effort to ensuring each event influences the broader narrative. A captured man’s liberation by factions seeking his knowledge ignites a conflict that escalates the already intense storyline. This intricate weaving of events showcases Dravis’s dedication to creating a believable and immersive world, populated with detailed races, ideologies, organizations, and governments.
With an extensive cast of characters and multiple plot threads, I feel the storyline can sometimes be challenging to follow, particularly for readers new to the series. While the detailed world-building is commendable, I believe it can sometimes slow the momentum in certain sections. The action sequences are well-crafted, with vivid descriptions that bring the battles to life. The stakes are continually raised, keeping readers engaged as the characters navigate their dangerous and unpredictable universe. The blend of science fiction and military strategy will particularly appeal to fans of space operas and those who enjoy detailed, immersive storytelling.
The Citadel is a compelling addition to the Dianis series, offering a rich tapestry of interstellar politics, war, and personal struggle. While its complexity might be daunting for some, those who appreciate intricate world-building and multifaceted characters will find much to enjoy. This book is highly recommended for fans of military science fiction and those who have followed the series from the beginning. Its detailed narrative and high-stakes drama ensure that it stands out in the crowded field of space operas.
Pages: 410 | ASIN : B0D5L3LL7W
LITERARY TITAN 