Dark Moon Shallow Sea

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Pub Date Oct 31 2023 | Archive Date Nov 14 2023

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Description

The first in a new epic fantasy series from David R. Slayton, Dark Moon, Shallow Sea is a powerful story of divine betrayal, ghosts, and self-discovery, perfect for fans of the Dark Souls series or Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.

When Phoebe, goddess of the moon, is killed by the knights of the sun god, Hyperion, all who follow her are branded heretics. With Phoebe gone, the souls of the dead are no longer ferried to the underworld, and instead linger on as shades who feast on the blood of the living.

Raef is a child of the night. He lives in the shadows, on scraps, eking out a meager existence as a thief. But when an ornate box is sequestered in the Temple of Hyperion, the chance of a big score proves too great to resist. What he finds within propels him on an odyssey across the sea and back again, altering the course of his life forever.

Seth is a knight of the sun. But unlike the others of his order, the fire of Hyperion only brings him pain. He believes he deserves this penance, exacted for his unknown origins. Tasked with recovering the contents of the box, Seth must also venture beyond the horizon if he’s to learn the truth about himself.

In a dying world divided by the greed of those in power, Raef and Seth find their destinies intertwined—and learn they might have more in common than they ever imagined.

The first in a new epic fantasy series from David R. Slayton, Dark Moon, Shallow Sea is a powerful story of divine betrayal, ghosts, and self-discovery, perfect for fans of the Dark Souls series or...


A Note From the Publisher

David R. Slayton (he/him) grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where finding fantasy novels was pretty challenging and finding fantasy novels with diverse characters was downright impossible. Now he lives in Denver, Colorado, and writes the books he always wanted to read. His debut, White Trash Warlock, was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award. In 2015, David founded Trick or Read, an initiative to give out books along with candy to children on Halloween as well as uplift lesser-known authors or those from marginalized backgrounds. David is a regular speaker and panelist at fan cons and writing conferences

David R. Slayton (he/him) grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where finding fantasy novels was pretty challenging and finding fantasy novels with diverse characters was downright impossible. Now he lives...


Marketing Plan

  • National publicity campaign
  • National reviews campaign
  • Targeted outreach to sci fi & fantasy reviewers
  • Bookseller and library show marketing
  • Digital and print advertising campaign
  • Mailing to influencers on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
  • Social media campaign

  • National publicity campaign
  • National reviews campaign
  • Targeted outreach to sci fi & fantasy reviewers
  • Bookseller and library show marketing
  • Digital and print advertising campaign
  • Mailing to...

Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9798200966769
PRICE $25.99 (USD)
PAGES 350

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 42 members


Featured Reviews

With Dark Moon Shallow Sea, Slayton brings his ability to take genre fiction and explore deep truths of the human condition into a new genre. This time, Slayton uses the deep lore of epic fantasy to explore hard truths about religious trauma and the ways uncritical devotion to religiosity can erode society.
While exploring these ideas, he also introduces readers to two of the most wonderful characters he’s ever dreamed up. Seth, the sunshine in the grumpy/sunshine equation, is the quintessential himbo that will warn readers hearts. While Raef, the grumpy, will steal their hearts while he steals across the city. Both characters have hidden depths and more than a few secrets to explore. Nothing is what it seems in Dark Moon, Shallow Sea. Not even this slow burn.
Ultimately, this book represents a lovely new adult coming of age in a fantasy setting. It captures a feeling of youthfulness that took me back to the beginning of adulthood when people surprise you, for good and for bad, and when betrays hurt the most for being firsts.
David R Slayton continues to show his ability to master any genre he sets his mind to. If we, the readers, are lucky, there will be far more to come from this fantasy world and far far more to come from Slaytons wonderful, creative and compassionate mind.

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This book is well written, haunting, suspenseful, and an all around joy to read. I found the characters to be well rounded and the plot impossible to put down. I read it in one sitting. Will be highly recommending it to all of my patrons. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley for this arc. I voluntarily read it and all opinions are my own.

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The only thing I don't like about getting an ARC for Dark Moon Shallow Sea is that I have to wait even longer until the next book is released. I suspected I would like this book, as I enjoyed the author's Adam Binder series, and I'm so glad I wasn't wrong.

From the beginning, there is a momentum that carries the reader through the world-building that introduces blood-thirsty ghosts, dueling religions, and some of my favorite characters in recent memory. It's a dark book that explores systemic problems alongside personal growth in a way that is compelling and satisfyingly creepy. It's not all darkness, though- there is a counterbalance of light and hope that makes me want to follow Seth and Raef wherever they go. I can't wait for the next book.

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