Today is the launch day for debut YA novel Legends Awake by Alex Stiles and I have a guest post by one of the book’s characters for you, letting you know more about one of the creatures that inhabits this new world.

First up let me tell you a little more about the book and it’s author.

About the Book

Alone in an unfamiliar world, fourteen-year-old Peran is suffering from amnesia. With society still consumed by decades-old war and the ancient sorcery of the Stoneborn warriors, he finds refuge in an academy of combat and survival. But Peran struggles to fit in, and when he defeats opponents beyond his skill, fellow students suspect his extraordinary abilities, leaving even his friends to wonder who — or what — he really is.

When out testing their skills, his dorm-mate falls victim to a coffin-mouth viper and only the Elin Shard can save him. Peran sets out to find the magical artifact, but to succeed against the legendary predators he encounters, he must first confront his true identity.

About the Author

“I was born in Bromley, England, in 1979. As a child I was a daydreamer, always away in my own world. It used to drive my teachers crazy and my parents too, especially on parents’ evenings.I always read books I could get lost in – fantasy, sci-fi, adventure – anything that would transport me to another world, time or place. I loved the escape, not that I needed to escape anymore than the next child, but being transported to another place, another world, that was magical.

As an adult, I still love books that deliver that escapism and decided to write my own. Squeezing writing in amongst a full-time job and a busy home life has been a challenge, but I am delighted to have completed my first novel “Legends Awake”. I have escaped into another world writing it and I hope that you escape reading it as well.

Holidays for me are all about escape too, and there’s nothing like climbing a mountain to achieve that. The Lake District, England, is my destination of choice. It’s an amazing place and I’ve no doubt inspires and influences my writing. Having recently moved, I now live in Somerset with my partner and am enjoying writing the second book, often accompanied by our three feline companions.”

Guest Post

The Sniffit

Sniffits are one of many natural wonders of our world. A remarkable little creature, they are the clear favourite of the Striplings at Amicas Academy.

The length of a forearm and golden, sniffits have a light stripe down their backs and legs, with a black line running along each side. Males have a thicker black stripe than the females – they are otherwise indistinguishable.Sniffits have six stumpy legs and a small fluffy tail that provides little balance, which is a shame really as they are primarily tree dwellers. They move through the branches inelegantly but securely, gripping to the bark with sharp claws and feeding upon bugs and insects as well as the odd priggin. Up close, they have a squat black nose and thick white whiskers around a slight, inset mouth. Despite their appearance, sniffits can deliver a vicious bite and have a tendency to hang on until they’ve been talked out of it.

When you first meet a sniffit, what strikes you is just how fluffy they are, with pointy furry ears and two large, black eyes. You would be forgiven for thinking they might make for an enjoyable meal and their furs could keep your head warm in the winter, but sniffits are so much more. In fact, that’s exactly what our predecessors thought, and for hundreds of cycles they hunted sniffits for food and their coats. Until one day an anxious girl, who liked to keep to herself, befriended one. After a less than a moon-turn, people noticed she’d started keeping the company of others and by her side was the sniffit. One sharp-eyed father observed the calming effect the sniffit had on the girl whenever she looked anxious. She seemed to gain so much from the relationship that he encouraged his own children to find themselves sniffits. They soon found their furry companions and were all the happier and more confident for it. Word spread and gradually the sniffits found themselves saved from the stew pot to accompany the young people of New Haven.

Today, the sniffits are so embedded in our culture we have writings on them. So what’s so special about them?

A sniffit needs to be needed. They take pleasure from relieving stress, anguish, anxiety and other emotions prevalent in young people. The bond between a child and sniffit is strong, and a sniffit is very particular about who they bond with. On first meeting, they examine the very depths of the child, it has even be said that they can see souls. Once formed, the bond will last until the child no longer regularly exhibits those emotions – they no longer need the sniffit and the bond will break.The presence of sniffits is not always welcome, they can be mischievous and disruptive. This, though, is far outweighed by their benefits and here in the white-knuckle environment of Amicas Academy, all Striplings get the chance to bond with a sniffit.

Artu Quinton

Instructor in Flora and Fauna

Amicas Academy

What do you think? Would you like to bond with a Sniffit?