Guardians of the Mask
Haley Kate
Publication date: June 8th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Historical
An extraordinary golden mask is in the hands of an ordinary boy…
It’s a mask entrusted to great warriors and heroes, thought to be lost in the sands of time. It can summon immortal armies, grant unimaginable strength and heal mortal wounds.
The golden mask has reappeared. And now it’s in the hands of Rafe, a hard working, loyal and at times mischievous teenager who thinks he is of little importance.
But he is wrong. Rafe is chosen by the mask and destined to become as the warriors of legend.
With the powers of the golden mask, he is the only one who can keep the kingdom safe when it comes under threat.
But not everybody thinks the mask should be in the hands of a common boy. When an eccentric Prince finds out the mask is in the hands of a common boy, he decides to interfere with destiny.
Armed with his own dark forces, he threatens to bring the kingdom to its knees.
—
EXCERPT:
The sun did not stay for long. A full moon greeted the village early and the gloom of the day sent most people to their beds without supper. Sam had been one of them. Rafe chose to linger for a while, walking on the rooftop of the church. It was a pleasant view from the top, where he could see the gargoyle they had toppled still implanted in the bed of grass beneath. He towered over the treetops and the hills that surrounded the village. Beyond the woodland ranged the fallow deer that grazed the palace fields. The palace never looked more beautiful than it did in the dark. The lights never went out and the spectacular array of gold and white from the turrets sparkled like the stars in the sky. It made the sudden interrupting sound of the horn all the more haunting. Eerie and unexpected, it sent a chill through the spines of all those that heard it, its low groan a warning that danger was coming. The call of it jumpstarted a fear that was resting inside of Rafe. A call he had been expecting and dreading. Lingering in his heart, the sound of it sent his emotions into overdrive. Climbing down from the church rooftop, he tore through the forest as fast as his legs would carry him.
“Rafe!” someone yelled.
Rafe spun around to see Miller, Edward and Theo running from the direction of the mansion. Miller had replaced his top hat with an uncommonly large helmet. Rafe caught up to them, desperate for an explanation. Somehow he doubted whether the Brutes had returned.
“They be comin’ boy! Get ya sword and ya mask. The village be gatherin’ their best to meet ye!” Miller spat. “Meet me? For what? Who’s coming?” Rafe demanded, knowing full well who it was without needing to ask. “Who d’ya think? I’d say ye have ‘bout ten minutes b’fore the Prince be findin’ ya. He wants revenge fer wha’ ye did, though this time he be nay dumb enough to fight on his own! I says there be two dozen knights marchin’ ‘ere. Even if they do b’lieve in the legends o’ Cherubim’s Mask, they be sworn to obey th’ Prince. Th’ villagers b’lieve in ye, Rafe. Some of em are willin’ t’ fight fer ye.” Rafe looked towards the forest, trying to imagine them. “The Prince,” Rafe whispered as the truth of it sank in. “Get the mask, lad!” Miller yelled.
Author Bio:
Haley Kate writes medieval fairytales and magical mysteries for tweens (and their parents). She also writes workbooks for schools to help reluctant readers engage with fiction.
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great cover, this sounds really interesting
Sounds like a very good story. Love the cover.
I love to read historical stories including warriors. The cover looks great and the book sounds interesting.
Great excerpt and giveaway. 🙂
Wow! This one sou ds fantastic!
Your book sounds like an engaging read for tweens and their parents.
Great excerpt and cover.
I like everything about this book – title genre & cover!
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Merry Christmas! I like the cover. It gives this fantasy a bit of mystery
Sounds really good. I like the cover.
The cover looks great. Sounds like a good book.
Sounds like another version of King arther and the sword in stone. Very close/
Love a mysterious mask tale, look forward to reading this!
This sounds like a thrilling book!
What a fascinating book! Great cover and excerpt. I’d love to read more.
Sounds like a good read.
I enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
Sounds like a good read. A nice break from all these romance novels coming out
I love the cover. Thank you for the giveaway.
I like the cover and would really enjoy reading it too.
This sounds like an excellent read.
The excerpt is interesting. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks for the excerpt. This sounds like a great book.
This sounds like a good YA coming of age adventure.
sounds like a fun one
Sounds like an interesting book. I like the cover.
There is always something appealing about the thought of an untried boy (or girl) going up against the evil whatever to save their family or country.
I enjoyed the excerpt.
I love a good fantasy with expansive mythology! One of my favorite activities is to get lost in a mysterious ethereal world and root for those trying to save the day!
Sounds like a very enjoyable read