Dark One Rising: Book One of the Tanith Prophecy series paints a touching landscape of beauty and solace brought to the brink of extinction by a powerful, evil force, whom only the Chosen One, unaware of her unique power, can battle for the soul of a kingdom. Within fantastic adventure and rousing action unfolds a truly human story of destiny and love and the power of spirit that will overcome impossible adversity.
The Kingdom of Aelethia has been quiet for five hundred years, but the Dark One is rising from out of the depths. All of Aelethia will perish unless the Chosen One comes forward to save them. Unfortunately, the Chosen One doesn’t know her destiny in the world; she only knows she is odd and confused about where her destiny lies.
She wants to find love, but she cannot have the men in her life that actually love her, and the only other one that wants her is as evil as they come. The elves know of her destiny and must tell her and train her in time in order to fulfill the prophecy that has been laid out before her. Can she become the person they have waited for?
Can she, in time, destroy the evil that is threatening to overtake her kingdom? With friends to guide her and a man to whom she truly loves beside her, she may be able to save Aelethia from doom.
And now let’s get to know The Chosen One a little better…
1. What single thing or goal do you want most in life?
I want to be loved for myself. I want the world to know that I am important, that I have a lot to offer. I want to be noticed, not for the things I do, but for who I really am.
2. What do you fear most?
I fear obscurity. I fear that I will go through life alone because the outward persona people see is not who I really am. Because of this, I fear that my kingdom will come to an end because no one has faith in what I can contribute. That everyone will pass away into oblivion because no one had faith that I could save them.
3. Are you presently in love, or do you hope to find someone special?
I love deeply. I love my family, and I am loyal to those I care about, those that see me as someone worthy of contributing to the world around me. As far as being in love, I love someone that I am forbidden to be with because they are considered to be below my station, someone I know that would treat me kind, treat me as an equal. I hope to find someone I’m not forbidden to be with who can love me that way, but men of the court bore me. They treat me as a possession, not a viable entity that can go forth into the world and conquer it. I want someone who will stand by me when the worst happens, and stay there until it has seen its end.
4. Sum up your life in the last few weeks in 150 words or less.
I have been betrayed by the people I love most, the people I thought loved me unconditionally. My father has promised my hand to a madman. Because of that, I’ve been forced to flee. I have holed up in places of sanctuary with the hope of keeping one step ahead of the evil that is tailing me. I have somehow managed to escape, but ended up in the arms of someone who could be more trouble to me than the evil that haunts me. But surprisingly, I’m starting to find a friend in this unexpected place, with this person I thought would only be trouble. I’m starting to see myself through his eyes, and have begun to see that I have the power to prevail. With him at my side I just may be able to do the most difficult task that has been set before me- saving the world.
5. If you could change one thing of your past would you? If so, what would it be and why?
The death of my mother. I’m told I’m so much like her, in looks and in character, and it makes me happy to hear that I am, but I would rather have her beside me, teaching me, encouraging me to be anything and anyone I want to be. She left a legacy to me that I was unaware of, and in finding out the truth of that legacy, I have seen all the things she kept from me as well. I will fulfill the prophecy she couldn’t fulfill herself, and I will see the world healed because of it, but I wish she were here to see it done too. I know I would make her proud.
6. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
I would be a dragon. A dragon is fierce and loyal to those worthy of its loyalty, and no matter if male or female, they are feared and revered. I want to be seen for me, with all my power, and all my beauty. A dragon lives a life it chooses and creates a legend to be passed along to future generations. I want to pass on a legacy of my own, one that will last for generations to come, a legacy that tells the story of an odd and ordinary girl, who unknowingly becomes the most extraordinary person in the world.
About the Author
Born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, Leandra Martin is the author of five fantasy/science fiction novels, including the L’Landra’s Tale trilogy and Tanith Prophecy series. She received an AA degree in Broadcasting/Communications, spent a few years in radio, and participated for many years in community theater. She currently lives in Oregon with her husband, two boys and their blue eyed canine named Jett. For more information, visit Leandra’s website.
