Sword of Deaths: The Scythe Wielder's Secret Continues

THE SCYTHE WIELDER'S SECRET CONTINUES

Susan Sarnio made a choice, and will spend the rest of her life as the only female Death.  Last year she was bullied and ostracized. Now, to her complete bewilderment, four Deaths vie for her affection. Yet, something is terribly wrong at the College of Deaths. When a ship carrying scythe metal is attacked, many blame the newly-freed Elementals, but Susan knows the Elementals are innocent.

Shadows from the distant past come to light. Dragons circle the horizon, blood spills, and nothing is what it seems. Susan and her friends struggle to stop a war. They search for the fabled First Scythe, hoping to sway the balance, but who is the true enemy?

SWORD OF DEATHS, the second novel in the critically acclaimed YA Fantasy trilogy "The Scythe Wielder's Secret," is now available from MuseItUp Publishing in both ebook and paperback formats. In SWORD OF DEATHS, Mannino delves deeper into the world and characters introduced in the first novel. The novel is told from three rotating points-of-view, and for the first time, the conflict with Dragons is fully realized. The style becomes darker, and for more epic, as the series moves towards a momentous climax in the final book DAUGHTER OF DEATHS.

Here is an excerpt of this exciting novel:

Frank started to speak when a deafening shriek pierced the woods. They exchanged a silent acknowledgement, and crept to the side of the boulder.

“We might be able to hide beneath the stone,” Frank told Michi. He used his mind, grazing the power without diving into its depths.

The shriek screamed through the forest. The Elementals huddled on the rock’s edge, grasping for a crevice. Frank reached into his pocket and clutched the hilt of Rayn’s dagger. Tingles of warm energy coursed through his skin, rippling in waves from the mortamant blade.

A third scream blasted leaves to the ground. The forest floor trembled and trees quivered in the face of the Dragon’s fury. 

“Something’s changed,” said Michi. “He knows we’re here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Frank. For a moment the forest quieted.

Crash!

The canopy overhead tumbled down, trees snapping in half. A smell of sulfur choked Frank. A blast of heat swept through the forest. White-hot flames engulfed the woods, disintegrating trunks and leaves in a conflagration. Fire rushed around them like a tidal wave against a beach. The boulder protected their backs, yet even the stone grew hot. Smoke stung his eyes like acid.

Frank pulled out the dagger. The Dragon’s scales covered its entire body. He’d never get close enough to draw blood. Yet, one nick of his own blood and he’d be home. 

The Dragon’s blast ceased. So much destruction in a single blast.How did the Deaths ever defeat creatures like this? Acrid smoke billowed around the ashen ruins of trees. A wide swath of forest had been obliterated.

“Hold my hand,” he said. The boulder radiated heat behind them like coal in a furnace. “I’m going to bring us back to the College.”

“Wait. I’ve used my power,” said Michi. “It’s two against one, we should fight.”

“Fight a Dragon? Are you insane?”

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE SERIES SO FAR

(Praise for SCHOOL OF DEATHS: The Scythe Wielder's Secret Book One)

"Not just a book for young adults, but an imaginative read for everyone who likes something a little bit different. 5 Stars!" - Reader's Favorite

"With a well-developed setting, strong characters, a fairly fast moving plot, and snappy dialogue, this novel should keep readers engaged from the beginning to the end. Five Stars." - BookBreeze Magazine 

"Let's start with one simple statement: Wow!  This book, the characters and the world created by Mannino is absolutely spectacular."  -Kay, GoodReads Review

"This book's world is brilliant, and the author's creativity is more than amazing and the way he conveyed his imagination was just stunning."  -OnlineBookClub

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending creative outlet.  He teaches high school theatre in Greenbelt, Maryland.  In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several after-school performance/production drama groups.  He spends his summers writing and singing.  Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford University.  His work with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy, although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to life.  

Mannino is currently completing The Scythe Wielder's Secret series and is working on several adult novels.

Learn more about Mannino and his novels, including trailers and purchase links at www.ChristopherMannino.com 

Sword of Deaths Blog 2

THE SCYTHE WIELDER'S SECRET CONTINUES

Susan Sarnio made a choice, and will spend the rest of her life as the only female Death.  Last year she was bullied and ostracized. Now, to her complete bewilderment, four Deaths vie for her affection. Yet, something is terribly wrong at the College of Deaths. When a ship carrying scythe metal is attacked, many blame the newly-freed Elementals, but Susan knows the Elementals are innocent.

Shadows from the distant past come to light. Dragons circle the horizon, blood spills, and nothing is what it seems. Susan and her friends struggle to stop a war. They search for the fabled First Scythe, hoping to sway the balance, but who is the true enemy?

SWORD OF DEATHS, the second novel in the critically acclaimed YA Fantasy trilogy "The Scythe Wielder's Secret," is now available from MuseItUp Publishing in both ebook and paperback formats. In SWORD OF DEATHS, Mannino delves deeper into the world and characters introduced in the first novel. The novel is told from three rotating points-of-view, and for the first time, the conflict with Dragons is fully realized. The style becomes darker, and for more epic, as the series moves towards a momentous climax in the final book DAUGHTER OF DEATHS.

MEET MICHI- AN INTERVIEW WITH A THRILLING NEW CHARACTER

In School of Deaths, we first meet the 'Mentals, or Elementals, one of the three races in the World of Deaths. Suzie's appearance at the College of Deaths coincides with extremely high tensions between the Deaths and the 'Mentals. In the second novel, a new 'Mental, named Michi, is introduced. Michi is also a girl, which changes the dynamics at the all-male College. Michi sat down with me to discuss her role in the upcoming novel.

CM: You were involved in the revolt at the College, weren't you?

MICHI: Yes, I was present at the beginning, but became trapped. For months, I took the form of a fly, eating the droppings I found in the Armory.

CM: How could you become a fly?

MICHI: I am an arthromorph. I have a special.. bond.. if you will, to the insect world. If I need to become an insect for a time, I can. I also use insects in other ways if I need to, but I don't like doing so unless I have to.

CM: Why don't you like using insects. They're just bugs.

MICHI: They're more than that. I sense what they sense, I feel close to them. To use an insect often costs part of their essence, and it's not fair to them to use that.

CM: I've heard a rumor that you and Frank used to be in a relationship. Is it true?

MICHI: No comment.

CM: Anything else you'd like to tell us about your role in the upcoming book?


MICHI: Sword of Deaths really does a better job of spotlighting the 'Mentals, who are of course the most important race in the World of Deaths. I felt like we were given a minor role in the first book, and I didn't like that. However, things aren't going that well for us, as I'm sure you'll see.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE SERIES SO FAR

(Praise for SCHOOL OF DEATHS: The Scythe Wielder's Secret Book One)

"Not just a book for young adults, but an imaginative read for everyone who likes something a little bit different. 5 Stars!" - Reader's Favorite

"With a well-developed setting, strong characters, a fairly fast moving plot, and snappy dialogue, this novel should keep readers engaged from the beginning to the end. Five Stars." - BookBreeze Magazine 

"Let's start with one simple statement: Wow!  This book, the characters and the world created by Mannino is absolutely spectacular."  -Kay, GoodReads Review

"This book's world is brilliant, and the author's creativity is more than amazing and the way he conveyed his imagination was just stunning."  -OnlineBookClub

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending creative outlet.  He teaches high school theatre in Greenbelt, Maryland.  In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several after-school performance/production drama groups.  He spends his summers writing and singing.  Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford University.  His work with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy, although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to life.  

Mannino is currently completing The Scythe Wielder's Secret series and is working on several adult novels.

Learn more about Mannino and his novels, including trailers and purchase links at www.ChristopherMannino.com 

School of Deaths NOW IN PAPERBACK

School of Deaths has been available for 11 months as an ebook.  

Reviewers have said the book is

"Too Good to put Down!" - Author Joan Curtis

"It Brought Tears to my Eyes" - Author Heather Greenis

"Five Stars!" - Reader's Favorite

"This Book's World is Brilliant!" - OnlineBookClub

"Amazing Story!" - NerdGirl 

Find out why readers love the first novel in The Scythe Wielder's Secret.

NOW IN PAPERBACK!! click the cover below! 

Shadow of the Scythe

FREE READ

Find out how the Scythe Wielder's Secret begins!

If you haven't yet read Shadow of the Scythe now's the perfect opportunity.  Find out why fans love this Young Adult fantasy series. Shadow of the Scythe tells the story of a young French boy brought to the World of Deaths against his will.  Will he survive?  Click the image to find out....

The Scythe Wielder's Secret

Today, I'm releasing my first teaser video for my series as whole.  Please let me know what you think, and be sure to like the video and share if you enjoy!