As I promised earlier, here is another exciting post about what’s being going on with author Trudie Skies! She not only revealed an amazing cover today but is also releasing a fantastic short story collection! This is the one I mentioned beta reading earlier and I’m excited to share it with you now. A couple of stories have changed since I last read them so I’ll be rereading these again eventually but check out review for the beta read below!
Happy Pub Day!
Tales From Across the Domains
Series: Cruel Gods 0.7
Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy
Release Date: October 13, 2023
Length: 125 Pages
Intended Age Group: Adult
Add on GoodReads here.
Purchase on Amazon here.
Content warnings can be found here.
Cover by GetCovers. Check them out here.
That was what made Chime so special, so precious. At the turn of the hour, I could venture forth into all manner of domains. Twelve, to be precise, all with their own intricacies, their own dangers.
Tales From Across the Domains
Blurb
Apostates, misfits, rebels, and sinners. What do they have in common? They all desire freedom to choose their own path in defiance of the gods who own their souls.
From an underwater domed city to perilous jungles, volcanic cabaret theaters, mushroom forests, and beyond, travel across twelve unique domains and learn of mortal life under the gods’ watchful eyes. Your journey begins in Chime, a steam-powered city that connects each domain through a magical portal that changes at the turn of the hour.
Wardens are on hand to guide you on your journey, but be careful—not all domains are safe to traverse, and not all are what they seem.
Tales From Across the Domains is a collection of fifteen short stories set within The Cruel Gods world—a gaslamp fantasy featuring magical portals, gothic cosmic deities, quaint Britishisms, and steampunk vibes. These short stories can be read at any point during the series and contain strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing.
About the Author
Trudie Skies has been living inside fantasy worlds ever since they discovered books, and they refuse to return to reality. Within Trudie’s daydreams you’ll find SPFBO and BBNYA finalist The Thirteenth Hour, a gaslamp fantasy described as obnoxiously British and best read with a cup of tea.
When not conjuring new worlds, Trudie spends their free time exploring the realms of indie books and video games, staring at clouds, and chasing after their fluffy companions.
Visit Trudie’s worlds at http://www.trudieskies.com or find her on Bluesky, Goodreads, and Bookbub.
Review
It’s been a few months since I’ve read this so the details are a bit hazy thanks to my silly brain but I signed up as a beta reader because the author was looking for readers that hadn’t started the main series yet. Since I’ve been meaning to read her books for a while, I figured this was the perfect way to jump in.
And it really was! I loved getting to experience the many sides to this universe and its inhabitants. The characters varied so wildly and I really enjoyed their distinct voices. A couple of them specifically really grew in me and I’m eager to find out if they show up more in the main series. This author’s imagination is obviously really creative. I also really liked her writing style in this collection so I am very eager to get started with the main series.
Why burn a perfectly good book that did nothing but exist? Surely it was more productive to burn the author who wrote it in the first place?
Tales From Across the Domains
The Shaggy Shepherd 
Intriguing! This one wasn’t even on my radar prior to today! lol
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I haven’t heard a lot of talk about it besides for beta reading right at the start. I’m definitely more than ready to start the main series after this though.
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It’s SO good. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!
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