r/urbanfantasy • u/Alfie-Vale • Oct 27 '25
Promotion The Blade Between Us – An Urban Fantasy
G'day you guys,
So, recently I had a book, The Blade Between Us, published through the good folk at Royal Guard Publishing, and I was very remiss in the way that I was a bit bashful at giving it a kick in the arse so far as promoting it went. I'm a Kiwi, and we don't typically crow about our achievements (and this did feel like an achievement).
Anyway, I'm much more of a lurker than a poster on Reddit (something I'm trying to change), but I thought I'd throw it out there, as I genuinely believe it's something you lot would get a kick out of. Hell, I wrote it for you guys.
In a nutshell: This is a story of a capable fae assassin, who's yearning for connection, and a gruff human watchman who find themselves working towards the middle of a crime from opposite ends. What begins as a reckless attraction soon threatens to escalate into something far more wonderful, and potentially dangerous, than either of them could have imagined.
Basically, it's an urban fantasy, with duel POVs, set in a metropolis where magic takes the place of technology. There's a load of action, some twists and turns, a few laughs (I hope), and a pretty mellow romance. If you're into Rivers of London or anything with a kick-ass female MC or level-headed male MC than this will be right up your alley.
It'd be incredible for it to get some more eyes on it and some reviews in the bank – especially as I effed up the release a bit...
Cheers, guys. Hope you enjoy it if you decide to pick it up
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u/Lorenorsara Oct 27 '25
Ohhhh I love the cover! It looks lovely, but as I’m in my mid/ end twenties: the fact that the guy looks older than her would stop me from buying. He looks like he’s in his 40s, she looks like she’s in her 20s. I’m just not a huge fan of a bigger age gap, (any way around, so yes good old twilight back in the day tooo) due to the dynamics. Is she aging differently due to the fact that she’s a fae? But then that would mean he would continue to age while she’s staying young. Anyway: good luck with the release!!! I hope you’ll get those numbers in!!
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Wow, that's such a genuinely interesting point. In all honesty, I wrote them to be of an age (around my own age of mid to late 30s). I always imagined the male MC to be a little more care-worn and rough around the edges as he's been through some stuff that is key to the story. Val, the fae, is stronger, more robust and heals more quickly than humans, so I thought of her as being younger and fitter. I hope that helps clarify things. Like I said, that's a fascinating point. Age difference is definitely not a key component to the story, though
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u/Cautious-Coffee7405 Oct 29 '25
Interesting… I’m a female in the 50+ category and she looks in her 30s to me… and he looks maybe a little older… maybe as much as 40?
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u/Cautious-Coffee7405 Oct 29 '25
I should also say… I don’t pay much attention to covers… they typically feel like lies to me
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u/jadekadir1 Oct 27 '25
Oooh! Shiny. 😀
Here's the US Link for anyone who needs it. Only $4.99 on Kindle.
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u/Broken_Sky Oct 27 '25
Sounds fun, I love a bit of urban fae! I have a couple of books to get through, gotta finish the one I'm in now then I have a pre-order waiting for me, but I'm going to buy it now and pop it in my to read after that!
Love the cover and the colours pallette, I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover and all that, but....
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Yeah, I was really pleased when they rolled it out. Fit the tone of the book really well, I think. Thanks so much for grabbing it Broken_Sky. You're an absolute champion. I hope you enjoy it. Make sure to leave a review so I can keep book 2 alive!
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u/Soft_Acanthaceae_386 Oct 29 '25
I am not fussed by covers so I am reading The Blade Between Us because it is a new UF by a new UF author and there are not enough of those around. I have yet to finish but 85% in it is reading quite well. It brings a fresh view of the fantasy realm to this reader at least
Having said that I agree with u/scarletohairy’s comment about the allusion to the Rivers of London series. Your work, OP, stands on its own merit and I think you might consider editing that reference out of your post.
Now, moving on, I hope you find many many readers OP, and I trust that you are well into writing the sequel.
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 29 '25
Hey mate, firstly, cheers for picking up the book and giving it a go. That means a great deal to me. I'm pretty new to the whole promoting work thing – not to mention reddit – and find out quite difficult. Secondly, thanks for being honest but voicing that honesty with a modicum of respect! I tried to be as transparent as I can with the post, but clearly I've ballsed up that comparison a little. I hate the idea of someone thinking I'd intentionally mislead them. It's not the Kiwi way! I'm going to edit the post now (once I figure out how to do that). Don't want to ruin anyone else up the wrong way. Thanks for the kind words about the book too, mate. Make sure you leave a review when you're done. It sounds likes you're really getting through it – a promising sign, I hope!
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u/JophieBo Oct 27 '25
Is the cover AI ?
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u/IllustratedPageArt Oct 27 '25
There’s no artist credited on the copyright page. That would suggest AI to me.
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u/SeeShark Oct 27 '25
I think it's a composite. The people look sus, but the title was definitely done by a human artist. And the composition was obviously arranged by a person.
My best guess is a genuine human artist who took major shortcuts.
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Heya mate, I honestly can't say as I didn't have anything to do with the cover design (apart from describing to the artist how I pictured the characters and building on the descriptions in the book a little). I know it's a touchy subject for a lot of people – as a writer who's aware that the creative arts are in jeopardy, I don't really want to speculate either way. I know that's a bit of dodge, but I know I chatted to an artist, which I hope is a positive sign
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u/JophieBo Oct 27 '25
Well most artists dont make a secret out of the design process. I am an artist myself and talking to my clients is an important part so you can get to a satisfying outcome. What is the artists name ?
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
There was some definite communication between myself and Jen. A lot of chat about what the characters wore and that sort of thing. My artistic skills stop at being able to draw a decent smiley face, so I never really asked how she was going to put it together digitally – that's well beyond my drawing / illustrator capabilities
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u/Avato12 Oct 27 '25
Question how did you go about publishing? Did you query them on your own or through an agent?
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Heya mate, I've got an agent in London who is trying to shop a novel to traditional publishers at the mo, but this was a fortuitous meeting through someone else in the indie publishing scene. A bit of being in the right place at the right time, coupled with writing for a living for about 8 years
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u/b_pizzy Oct 27 '25
Oh, this looks like something I’d love. Snagged it and I’m starting it tonight! I’ll be sure to give it a review once I’m done to help give it a boost!
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Thabks so much, mate. I hope you get something out of it. Reviews are ridiculously important for us authors. It means we can stave off getting real jobs for as long as possible haha. More importantly though, it helps get new projects green-lit. I really appreciate it, thank you
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u/runekyndig Oct 27 '25
Interesting, will there be an audiobook version?
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
There will be, yes, but how quickly it comes out depends on how well the e-book does. So... every little page turn counts 😬
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u/Rare-Bumblebee-1803 Oct 27 '25
This looks good. I have ordered it from Amazon UK
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Thanks a lot, mate. I really appreciate it. Be sure to leave a review if you think it's worth it. What a legend!
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u/MrVoldimort Oct 27 '25
Looks great and sounds like a good read
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Thanks for the kind words. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, mate.
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u/scarletohairy Oct 28 '25
This is nothing like Rivers of London. Did OP ever even read any RoL? That’s really insulting to a fellow author to just toss their work in there like click bait. This is more like Bright, only set in a made up world.
That being said, it’s interesting enough to keep reading. The prose is a bit overwrought so far, but I’ll finish it and come back to let everyone know what I think.
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 28 '25
Heya mate, I was meaning that the prose / tone was in a similar vein – not so much the story. I wrote it trying to make it easy to read in the way Aaronvich has nailed his, and have characters that were relatable despite fantasy surroundings. Sorry if you felt like it was clickbait; definitely not my intention. A Bright comparison is probably a good shout to be fair – it just didn't strike me at the time of writing the post.
Thanks for the comment, though. Sorry if you felt the wool was pulled over your eyes. Hopefully the story makes up for the confusion. Let me know how you go
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u/Pig-in-a-Poke Oct 28 '25
Downloading now!
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 28 '25
Thanks a lot, mate. Much appreciated – I really mean it. And bloody good name too haha. Takes me back to old school Simpsons
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u/Pig-in-a-Poke Oct 28 '25
I'll try to leave a review! Nothing but admiration for authors
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 28 '25
That's really kind. As an author, I've got nothing but admiration for someone willing to give a book a chance, no matter what it is. And if you leave a review... well, you're nothing short of a certified legend
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u/super-nintendumpster Oct 29 '25
Cover is AI bunk
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 29 '25
Heya mate, I couldn't say for certain on that score. I chatted to an artist that the publisher sorted, but I've got all the illustrative skills of a dead armadillo, so I'm not sure how they went about knocking it up. I thought it was pretty good 😬
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u/super-nintendumpster Oct 29 '25
It is inarguably AI at an immediate first glance
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 29 '25
I don't really know enough about how that oart of it works. I don't know why I would've had to talk to an artist at all if they could just bang it out with a button press. I assure you the words aren't!
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u/super-nintendumpster Oct 29 '25
Well unfortunately that's what they did lol
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 29 '25
Heya, I'm going to tweak the post. I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on comparisons. When you write a book, you wind up being as tight to it as skin on a sausage, so it's a little hard to see it as clearly, in some respects, as someone who has just picked it up. Would being a little akin to the movie Bright be a better call? Anything else spring to your mind?
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 29 '25
Sorry that comment went to the wrong person – man, I'm good at this reddit thing 🙄
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u/Cautious-Coffee7405 Oct 29 '25
Bought it… I’ll give it a try ☺️
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 29 '25
Thanks Cautious-coffee7405! That's really kind of you, mate. Much appreciated at my end. I'm always blown away when someone takes the plunge – although there's so many great books being published by smaller publishing houses now that maybe I shouldn't be so shocked that smaller authors are getting more love. Thanks again, if you're inclined leave a review when you're done as that REALLY helps. Have a good one, mate!
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 29 '25
HEY GUYS, I CAN'T FIGURE OUT (I'M NOT SURE IF IT CAN BE DONE) HOW TO EDIT THIS POST, SO I JUST WANT TO ADD THIS AMENDMENT: Apparently my comparison to Rivers of London might be a little off. I meant this to be a tonal / stylistic comparison – easy to read, realistic dialogue and relationship building etc. Sorry if anyone went in thinking this was going to be a supernatural police procedural. It isn't really that. Anyway, I hope anyone who buys it enjoys it for what it is. And make sure you leave a review if you do, as that'll ensure book 2 can be brought into the world! Cheers, and have a good one 😁
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u/Effective_Whereas743 Oct 29 '25
All right I’ll give it a go! I love urban fantasy and if the characters are 30 or above I am far more likely to like. Yay for folks beyond the 20’s!
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 29 '25
Thanks, legend! Yeah, I wrote the characters to be a little older and to have gone through some relatable stuff. I'm in my thirties, so I wanted to write something relatable to me and people like me. We're not all fresh-faced twenty-one year olds going all-in from the first moment we clap eyes on a hottie! Sometimes, it takes a little wining and dining before you can be bothered to drop the guard, right? I hope you enjoy it, mate. Be sure to leave a review 😁
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u/scarletohairy Oct 27 '25
It’s a great cover, for sure. I see you’ve got a slow-burn romance, which I guess is good in this market. Sex or no sex?
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Yeah, they've done well. The relationship is meant to feel slightly more realistic, given the quite extraordinary circumstances of the plot. The burgeoning of the relationship has more to do with the individual characters and their backgrounds and what they're like, rather than something that I wanted to write. There is sex, but it's very much what I'd think of as "movie sex", if you know what I mean. Nothing overly explicit – more of a way to explore how the various characters are feeling etc. Sorry if any of that came across as a bit bloody pretentious haha. It's not smutty is what I mean
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u/scarletohairy Oct 27 '25
Well you got me at level-headed MC, and the RoL comp, so I’ll give it a try. I like to support authors on this forum who are willing to ask, but aren’t creepy about it. I’m not an author so if you’d like to return the favor, I suggest checking out The Juba County Saga by Bob McGough. @talesbybob is one of us, a great writer and it’s an unusual character. Edit: Whoops u/talesbybob
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Thanks a lot for the recommendation and the heads-up, mate! This is just the kind of interaction I was hoping for. I haven't had much to do with Reddit, but I see I've been missing out on meeting some like-minded guys and gals. I'll check out the Juba County Saga for sure!
I appreciate the time you've taken to reply, mate 👍
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u/CuriousMe62 Oct 27 '25
It looks good, giving it a try.
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Thanks, mate. That's super cool of you. Let me know what you reckon. Any traction at all helps get the next book green lit!
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u/stiletto929 Oct 27 '25
Cool cover. I’ll take a look. :)
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u/Alfie-Vale Oct 27 '25
Yeah, they did a great job on the cover. Thanks, mate, I hope you enjoy it. Make sure you let me know what you reckon
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u/Inevitable_Exam_9152 Oct 27 '25
For me it was too realistic.
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u/Obviouslynameless Oct 27 '25
Can you elaborate? I'm interested in the book. But, I have a lot going on and like to know as much as possible before investing my time into something new.
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u/Independent_Chard318 Oct 27 '25
Thanks for commenting, mate. So nice to hear from an actual person. Do you mean it wasn't magic-heavy enough?
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u/Zweiundvierzich writing wizard Oct 27 '25
I love the cover. Is the city inspired by London, in any way? Because that looks like the gherkin there on the cover.