As part of Self-Published Fantasy Month 2021, we at the Uncharted Library are hosting a series of spotlights to showcase the incredible talent of self-published fantasy authors! We’re spending the rest of our Saturday with some dark fantasy, so if you’re eager to sink your teeth into some vampire urban fantasy, then check out The Kingdoms of Blood Series by Des M. Astor!
Self-Published Fantasy Month is a month-long celebration highlighting the best of what the self-published fantasy community has to offer. To find out more and get involved, visit their official website at https://www.selfpublishedfantasymonth.com/, check them out on Twitter @SelfPubFanMonth, or join The Guild, their Discord Server.
Life as humanity knows it has ended. Vampires have taken over the planet as dominant species. Magic and myth emerge from the shadows as the world shifts into something we never thought possible. All is not lost–there’s areas of harmony where all creatures work together in these dark times. The entire world will not fall to the Kingdoms of Blood.
From Book 1: My name is Sam Viper, and I’m a venomous vampire hunter. Yeah, you heard that right.
Scrap everything you know about the world around you. The things that go bump in the night are the least of your concerns. It’s my job to defeat the real monsters before they can get to you. Until life as we know it changes forever, of course.
Now I have to work with one of these leeches. His name is Goliath, and he doesn’t take too kindly to his tyrannical brother’s merciless path. The vampires have ripped the mantle of Earth’s dominant species from their grasp, and Ash has capitalized on it. Now, it’s time for me to get over my deep hatred for vampires and suck it up.
At least I get to work with one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met, Darcia Deville, who’s a Tasmanian Devil shapeshifter. With her help, Goliath’s help, and the help of some other rather odd monsters like a vampire gang leader, we need to stabilize the city and establish harmony.
Oh, right. And I need to come to the terms with the fact that I’m apparently a half-dragon. Who would have thought?
CONTENT WARNING: Some parts contain heavy gore. There is an explicit sex scene.
The Kingdoms of Blood Series is an ongoing urban fantasy series. The second book, Huntsmaster City, was released on on 9th January 2021 at 296 pages.
About the Author
Hi there!
I’m Des, and I’m an Urban Fantasy & Sci-fi (biology) author that LOVES vampires, if you couldn’t already tell. I will typically only ever write in the fantasy genre, and usually I write several novels in a series. I like to twist things quite a bit in my stories, which means if there’s a mythical creature out there with typical lore, I’ll shred it and build it up into something that’s mine.
As a writer, I love focusing on character first and foremost. The character arc is extremely important to me, and I like writing either a redemption arc or a path down to evil. Admittedly my favorite kind of story is where an antihero rises up from their previous evil acts and becomes the hero. I simply love that so much!
I really like the idea of “monsters with morals”. Things like vampires, werewolves, dragons, spirits, dark fae, you name it, generally are seen as irredeemable and evil. I’m tired of the protagonists that can do no wrong! Therefore, every one of my characters will always have a dark side.
We need strong protagonist couples too! I love strong female protagonists, don’t get me wrong, and write them on a regular basis. But a couple working together side-by-side, each contributing equally, is important to me, and I like to depict that in my book. However, I build up relationships first before they are solidified.
Otherwise, I play video games as a hobby and love roleplaying within them. Shocking, right? A writer that loves character building in a story setting! But, it’s true. Finally, I love buying art for my characters. Seeing them visualized is something that makes me extremely happy. I post such art on my website if you’re interested, with the proper credit of course.
Visit therealdesastr.com for more information, or find me on twitter @therealdesastr!
