Jordan Smith

Hello! My name is Jordan, and Mourn Not the Mortals is my debut fantasy novel. I've been a fantasy reader for as long as I can remember, starting with the Redwall books when I was in middle school. Ever since then, I've tried many, many times to create my own fantasy world and bring it to life through writing. MNtM (we love our acronyms, don't we?) has been in my brain since at least 2013. However, I didn't actually set pen to paper until 2019. Don't ask me what I was doing all those years in between. Eight drafts and six years later, I finally managed to not only complete the book, but publish it!When I'm not writing, I'm either reading, birdwatching, playing solo boardgames or JRPGs, listening to metal, or spending time with my family. I currently reside in San Antonio with my wife and three year-old daughter. Prior to that, I lived in Florida (where our daughter was born), Washington state (where I met my wife), Texas (for college), California, Texas again, Maryland (ruled), Missouri (sucked), Texas yet again, and California (where I was born). And before you ask, I don't even like Texas.Some other facts about me:
- I have spotted nearly 200 species of birds before getting into the hobby last year.
- I was diagnosed with T1 diabetes in 2020.
- I've never read Shakespeare.
- My first 'book' was a 220 page handwritten fantasy story heavily inspired by Assassin's Creed. Some character names: Lordailin Dwelgor, Rayven Gailtruce, Articlus Theacore. It sucked.
- I think The Last Jedi was incredible and if you didn't, you're what's wrong with Star Wars.
- I used to run a joke Instagram page where I gave silly reviews of Scotch whisky. I had over 2,000 followers before I stopped posting. If you are able to find the page and send me the link, I'll write you as character into the next book and kill you off. It's the highest honor a reader can be granted, I promise.If you'd like to know anything else about me, you can easily reach me via Instagram or email!Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordansmith.author/

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Blurb:Centuries have passed since the Dhal’nar fled the Sphere of Man after being hunted to near extinction. All that remains of the otherworldly race are the forgotten relics and ruins of an ancient age, now coveted by human hands.Aliss Cistalion has never set foot beyond her city’s walls. An untested servant of the Prophet, Dhal’nar history is heresy to her creeds. But someone high in the Luviatran Empire believes otherwise, deeming her worthy of leading her first expeditionary force. The Empire’s very survival hinges on her mission: to pursue the rumors of a Dhal’nar relic buried behind enemy borders. Intent on restoring her Empire’s glory, Aliss leaves everything she’s ever known and loved behind, with no promise of seeing any of it ever again.Across the sea, the Protectorate are the long-hated enemies of the Empire and seek the rumored Dhal’nar relics for themselves. Already, they possess a powerful Dhal’nar craft capable of prophecy, and seek to plunder yet another jewel to add to their trove. Having lost their lands to the Protectorate centuries ago, Aliss and her squad of veterans must outrace them, lest her dying Empire be doomed to become a footnote in the annals of man.Mourn Not the Mortals is the first book of a planned tetralogy by Jordan Smith. The series title is The Shattered Sphere Saga. Fans of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Stormlight Archives, The Poppy War, and A Song of Ice and Fire will find something to love within its pages. Do you like multi-POV stories? Grimdark fantasy? Military fantasy? Soft magic systems? Epic worldbuilding?If so, then this is the series for you!

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Do you like tropes? Do you like themes? How about lists? If you answered yes to any of the above, you'll appreciate the information below. Bear in mind, this is by no means exhaustive.TROPESHeroine's Journey
Forbidden Love
Tragic Hero
Faustian Bargain
Greedy Empire
The Prophecy
The Mentor and the Student
Forced Alliance
The Quest
The Drunken MasterTHEMESDevotion vs Doubt
Identity vs Belonging
Tradition vs Change
Loss of Innocence
Power and Control
Betrayal and Trust

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