Shadow Haven: Battle Across The Sands
N.P. Michaels
ISBN: 9781604747621
PublishAmerica
Reviewed By Brooke Carleton
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
A
Great War has plagued the world of Esura. The wizard, Aurum, who
previously served as the headmaster of the Suran Order, turns evil and
creates a super race known as the Democ. Over the years that follow,
Aurum and his forces destroy many kingdoms and races – but, just when
all hope seems lost, a new order of wizards called the Autar are sent
down from the spiritual realm of Heldaia, charged with reorganizing the
forces of good. For five years, the new heroes fight the evil
surrounding them, ultimately defeating Aurum in the final battle to
save the world.
Six hundred years later, the world begins to
hear whispers of the dead wizard's return – has Aurum done the
impossible and returned from the grave…? Or is some other shadowy
threat involved…?
In Shadow Haven: Battle Across The Sands,
P.N. Michaels does a remarkable job of weaving together a story of
magic, allegiance, and war. His narrative presents a fresh fantasy
world with many familiar races, such as elves, wizards, and dwarves,
but also a host of other races unique to the story. The characters are
well thought out, leading the reader on a journey through various
different terrains and epic battle scenes. All in all, Shadow Haven is an entertaining read from beginning to end that should not be missed.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: N.P. Michaels (Shadow Haven)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, N.P. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Your characters and cities are quite unique. Who/what were your influences in creating and naming them?
N.P. Michaels: Most of the names came from other things, whether TV shows, books, or videos games that I thought were pretty cool. Other names I came up with off the top of my head. But to me, the name has to fit the character or place well, almost as if there's noother name it could be.
AR: You created several new races for the story. Where did you get your ideas for all of them?
NPM: Well, when starting this story, I had developed over one hundred different races. As the story evolved and the time period changed, I wanted the races to look more like each other, but have minor differences to make them unique. I picked nine of them to be more human-like and decided to have fun with it. But the story also goes away from the concept. Example: the elves, when first created, all had great eyesight, but in today's world of my book, only about 40 % do. The rest have average or bad sight. This is just one area where things have changed over time, and no race is immune to this. In fact, some races, though rare, could have gained a trait.
AR: You mention in the story, "Wizards were created through a being that will soon be deceased." Our reviewer loved this concept and would like to know what made you design them this way?
NPM: Wizards are Guardians, which in my mind are like angelic beings. During the transaction of being sent down to the world, many things can change, one being the power and knowledge the Guardian has. It's this reduction that makes them wizards more then anything else. It's more of a title. But for them to have a physical form, they need to fuse with a being or race of that world, which again, causes changes. If a guardian takes over a race member's body, that being then dies, and the 'wizard' is then born. The guardians need a body, and there's only one place they can get it. But I didn't want any one person to die for no reason, so came up with the idea that the Nemus waited until the last moment just before a being of that world dies, then they send down the guardian within that moment of death.
AR: Battle Across the Sands ends with what could lead to a sequel. What do you have planned for future books? Is there a Shadow Haven series we should look forward to?
NPM: Yes, battle across the sands is the first of six books planned. The second book, secretly titled P.O.T.I., is planned to be released next year around this time. Can't really talk about it, but it finishes the story developed in the first book while creating a new story that pushes it along to the next. There will be bigger battles, and more twists.
AR: What kinds of reactions has the book gotten from other readers?
NPM: It's gotten good reviews and many have loved the story as much as I. Many are even more excited for the next than I.
AR: How long have you written?
NPM: Well, I started writing back in 1999 as a way to relieve stress. But this story was created in 2002.
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with PublishAmerica?
NPM: It's been what you could expect. My book is out, and people can enjoy it. For that, I must be grateful.
AR: What are your future writing aspirations/goals?
NPM: Finish the Shadow Haven Series, then to a project that deals with the sea, teaching people about it and showing them why it needs to be saved. After that, I have three more fantasy concepts in some form of development.
AR: How & where can people learn more about your writings and other efforts?
NPM: Currently only through the Internet. I have a myspace: www.myspace.com/dom3919. I also have a website: www.npmichaels.com.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
NPM: I would like to thank everyone for their support. The future looks bright for Shadow Haven, and I hope everyone will enjoy the ride.
AR: Thanks again, N.P., and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!