Discover the world of Audessia
Welcome to the story behind "A Grove of Shadows and Rot," a dark fantasy romance novel born from a lifelong passion for enchanting tales and captivating villains. Dive into the creative journey and the unique narrative that awaits.
The journey of creation
This book is a labour of love and all the crazy stories whirling in my head that keep me from sleeping. I have been enamored by fantasy ever since I was little, all starting with Disney and comic books. I realised I enjoyed the villains a little too much in each story, and all through growing up I would make up, act out and draw stories that formed in my head. I had a big imagination. This novel was never meant to exist; I actually had plans to write an entirely different story until I one day sat down and the words I began to type became something else entirely. Since then, this novel has been my newest passion, as well as my greatest challenge. It has unpacked many truths of my own and allowed me to think on what I really want out of life. I am by no means an experienced author, and there has been a lot of learning undertaken these past few months to get to where I am now, but the journey continues, and I couldn't be more excited.
“You're drifting again, mon cheri.” -Adrian
Once upon a time
"A grove of shadows and rot" begins with three young women, Esther, Jeanne and Louise, who live in the dreary, cold and terribly tiny town of Beaumont, in a world called Audessia. The story starts with the discovery of a grimoire in the most unlikely of places. The trio are in the town's library where Louise is using said grimoire in an attempt to summon her recently deceased parents as a means to seek closure on their untimely deaths. The spell goes awry and instead a demon named Asher is accidentally summoned. Amidst the chaos and confusion Asher kidnaps Louise, assuming her to be a witch, and takes her to a world called Noxith. Believing the events in the library to be her fault, Esther deals with self-loathing and guilt, whilst forming a plan to rescue her friend......
only to find herself dragged into Noxith herself.
The heart of the story
The plot centers around Esther who is kidnapped by Asher, one of the five demon lords of Noxith who seeks the aid of a witch to help him steal from the Demon King, István. Esther, who Asher is convinced is a powerful witch, agrees to aid the infuriating lord in return for her friend's freedom and safe-passage home.
Except there's one problem.
Despite Asher believing so, Esther doesn't have any powers that she's aware of. With the begrudging help of her captor, and in the most unlikely of places, friendships are forged, beliefs questioned and painful truths exposed.
And where will that leave Esther, when all is said and done?
This dark-fantasy novel explores themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy intricate plots and complex characters.
“You finally decide to have that fight you’ve been skirting around all morning then? Tell me, Essie, what’s eating at ye, and give it to me straight, love. Let’s not have those knickers of yours in a twist all damn day.’’ -Perry
'The man cocks his head in an almost animalistic way—his sharp eyes raking over the three of us before he tears his gaze around the library, as if soaking up his surroundings and trying to, like us, process what the fuck is going on. His upper lip twitches, threatens to curl, and panic sets in with the dawning realisation that we have grossly overestimated ourselves, and we are no longer seekers but the sought—naive rabbits caught in a snare with no way of escaping the wolf that prowls a hair’s breadth away, the one that we let loose.'
-Chapter Five