Sunday 27 November 2022

#AbsolutionNovel excerpt

CHAPTER 8 (excerpt)

Story note: Tulen (POV) is living as a servant in the Impian Palace under the name Sabit. Tengku Nawal has discovered that her father is trying to marry her off to Sultan Mikal and is trying to find a way to get out of it. Magda, her childhood nanny, has been out all morning and has just returned to the palace.


Tengku Nawal is delighted to see Magda. 

“Magda, oh Magda, you have to help me!” she says, almost prancing.

“What is it, sayang?” Magda guides her to sit at the table where I’m laying out the various dishes the kitchen has prepared.

“I’ve been thinking all morning, and Sabit has been a great help,” Magda’s eyebrows shoot up, “but she’s not you, Magda, she doesn’t know anything!” 

“Anything about what?” 

“About how to deal with Ayahanda. You know how to deal with him, don’t you?” she wheedles.

“I don’t—”

“He listens to you. I just need to know what to say to him so that he won’t make me marry the Sultan!”

I have to bite my cheek to prevent myself from laughing at Magda’s incredulous expression.

“But sayang…”

“No, Magda, no buts! I’ve already thought about it all night and all morning and I’ve come to my conclusion. You cannot take Ayahanda’s side in this. He has no right to send me into a marriage I do not want!”

“But it’s the Sultan!”

“I know!” she says, stamping her foot. “But it’s not the Sultan’s request, so it doesn’t matter. It’s Ayahanda’s request.” 

She’s beginning to get annoyed, so I quickly push her attention towards the food. She looks down at the steaming hot rice and the freshly fried fish. She makes a face at the fried kangkung belacan but pulls the bowl of cabbage soup nearer.

“Sayang, your father only wants what’s best for you. This is why he is asking. You will have to get married eventually, and all he wants is to find the best husband for you. One who has the power and ability to take care of you and provide for you.”

“Eventually, Magda, but not yet.” She looks up sharply. “I’m still too young for this and Ayahanda knows that!”

“Many women get married at seventeen. This is just an engagement—you won’t have to marry him immediately.”

Tengku Nawal clicks her tongue in annoyance. “But I don’t want to get engaged! Not yet. I’m supposed to have time to enjoy myself and tour the Sultanate first!”

“Who says you cannot do that when you are engaged or after you are married? All you do is delay the inevitable, sayang. One day you will have to get married and leave home. It may not be to Sultan Mikal, but it will happen unless Kudus Himself wills it otherwise.” 

The hand reaching for the fish stills. 

Magda freezes where she sits. 

A look of glee spreads over Tengku Nawal’s face. “Kudus. That’s the answer.” 

“The answer?” Magda says, trying to recover her composure. “How?”

“A pilgrimage. I should seek the face of Kudus to find out if it is his will for me to marry Sultan Mikal. No matter what the Sultan’s reply is, he can’t stop me from doing that.” She starts stuffing her face with rice and fish, satisfied now that she’s found a solution.

Magda’s face darkens. “Do not take Kudus lightly, Tengku. A pilgrimage is not something you should embark on just on a whim.”

“But it’s the perfect excuse!” Tengku Nawal argues. “I will avail myself to the service of Kudus and by the time I return, whatever urgency Ayahanda has for this match will be over. Then we’ll see if he still wants me to marry the Sultan. Or if the Sultan even wants to marry me. I get to travel, and no silly engagement will be involved!” 

“And what if Kudus answers you?” Magda grips the edge of the table. “What if Kudus Maha Esa decides to call you into His service? What will you do then?” 

Tengku Nawal glares at Magda. I want to send her calming thoughts, but I don’t want to risk something that might change her behaviour too much—not while Magda is observing her so intently. Distracting her now is not going to work, anyway.

“What would Kudus want with me? Don’t be silly, Maggie. You know I don’t believe in your fairy tales. You may go now,” Tengku Nawal says curtly.

Jaw clenched, Magda gets up, gives the princess a deep curtsy, shoots me a warning look, then she backs out of the room.

~

 

I was going to post the excerpts yesterday, but it got a little too long, what with the photos and the video. So you get the excerpt today! 

Get Absolution now!



Get the other books in the series at USD2.99 each as part of our Launch Week Sales!



Looking for paperbacks?

We're currently working on getting the books printed, but you can pre-order a paperback directly from Teaspoon Publishing if you're based in Malaysia!

Living elsewhere? Ask for Absolution from your nearest independent bookstore!

Saturday 26 November 2022

Pictures from the #AbsolutionNovel launch at #GTLF2022

We had a great launch on Thursday! It was a dual launch, together with the launch of the Malaysian Writers Society's latest anthology, The Best of Malaysian Short Fiction in English 2010 - 2020, which I also had a hand in (mostly going crazy in the background). 

 Here are pictures by Celine Wu & Jac, PLUS a highlights video of the event! 

In conversation with Daphne Lee.

Close up photo

Side shot!

And a wide shot!

From left to right: Tina Ishak, May Chong, JY Tan (ed.), Terence Toh, Anis Rozalina Ramli, Sumitra Selvaraj

MYWriters Secretary, May Chong (left) and anthology co-editor. JY Tan (right)

The early morning crowd. Thanks for coming!

Crowd from the other angle! lol

Closer pic of the crowd

L-R: Tina Ishak, May Chong, JY Tan

L-R: Tina Ishak, May Chong, JY Tan, Terence Toh

Group photo. L-R: Me, Tina Ishak, May Chong, JY Tan, Terence Toh, Anis Rozalina Ramli, Daphne Lee, Sumitra Selvaraj

Jac in action


Thanks to all our supporters!

Live streaming, photos and video by Jac ReviewsStuff. Give his YouTube channel a like/subscribe!

Want to watch the full video? Head on over to the Malaysian Writers Society Facebook page for the live stream recording! 

P/S I mentioned posting an excerpt here today, but the post got really long, so you'll get the excerpt tomorrow! 


ABSOLUTION

If cursed is the hand that kills, then it wouldn’t matter if that same hand stole, would it? 

Tulen feels doubly cursed, forced to serve the bratty princess of Impian as punishment for her crimes. When said princess embarks on a pilgrimage, Tulen grabs her only chance to offer a sacrifice at the holy city of Suci—and maybe, finally, feel clean again.

Sultan Mikal has set his face towards Suci—and certain death. Nothing about his Penance is clear, except the fact that if he fails, Terang will fall along with him.

When Tulen’s pilgrimage intersects with Sultan Mikal’s quest to fulfil the Covenant of Salt, Tulen faces a difficult dilemma: What is her absolution worth in the face of the sultanate’s very existence?


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GET YOUR COPY NOW!

Amok | The Tale of the Hostage Prince | Absolution

Also check out The Best of Malaysian Short Fiction in English 2010 - 2020 in ebook or print!

Thursday 24 November 2022

Happy Release Day! #AbsolutionNovel

ABSOLUTION releases today!

Absolution (Absolution, #2) is the culmination of Anna Tan’s Absolution series, young adult fantasy books set in a magical Nusantara. Following events in Terang five years after the conclusion of AmokAbsolution is both a quest for absolution and a journey of faith as Sultan Mikal attempts to restore Kudus’ blessing on the kingdom of Terang and preserve their magical gifts.


If you're in Penang, join us at the soft launch at GTLF at 10:30AM today! Not able to make it? Tune in to the live stream on my facebook page: facebook.com/annatansp

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Here’s what people have to say about Amok, the first book in the series:

“It really is an epic adventure of the imagination.”—Professor Benjamin Zephaniah

“Tan is a supremely talented storyteller.”—A Duck with a Book

“The language is lyrical, beautifully written, and immerses you into the world and characters with ease.”—Across My Shelves

“The world-building of this Nusantara-set novel is exemplary, seamlessly incorporating elements of all the cultures that meld and mingle in Malaysia and its neighbours to present a truly fascinating fantasy world.”—The Frumious Consortium

“If you enjoy reading fantasy that focuses on the growth of the main character, friendships that are put to test in terrible conditions, powerless princes and changed positions, then Amok is perfect for you!”—Mermaird


Here’s what people have to say about The Tale of the Hostage Prince, which follows Yosua’s travails in Bayangan:

“This book was such a lovely and captivating story of magic, religion, friendship, and the challenges of being a ‘third culture kid.’”—Jamie Edwards, NetGalley reviewer

“I love that this book also brings us to contemplate about the meaning of faith (in general).”—One Anjana

“Tan has created a rich world… What do you do if the path you thought was so clear is not so clear after all? What do you do if you are torn between duty and where your heart lies? There is substance to the storyline not just adventure, though that is there too.”—Juliane Silver, NetGalley Reviewer

“The Tale of the Hostage Prince is a fast-paced story that left me breathless…I absolutely enjoy Anna Tan’s writing style.”—Mermaird

Get all three ebooks for $2.99/RM12 each during our launch week sales until 30 November 2022!


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ABOUT THE BOOK

If cursed is the hand that kills, then it wouldn’t matter if that same hand stole, would it?

Tulen feels doubly cursed, forced to serve the bratty princess of Impian as punishment for her crimes. When said princess embarks on a pilgrimage, Tulen grabs her only chance to offer a sacrifice at the holy city of Suci—and maybe, finally, feel clean again.

Sultan Mikal has set his face towards Suci—and certain death. Nothing about his Penance is clear, except the fact that if he fails, Terang will fall along with him.

When Tulen’s pilgrimage intersects with Sultan Mikal’s quest to fulfil the Covenant of Salt, Tulen faces a difficult dilemma: What is her absolution worth in the face of the sultanate’s very existence?

Add to Goodreads


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Get Absolution now!



Get the other books in the series at USD2.99 each as part of our Launch Week Sales!



Looking for paperbacks?

We're currently working on getting the books printed, but you can pre-order a paperback directly from Teaspoon Publishing if you're based in Malaysia!

Living elsewhere? Ask for Absolution from your nearest independent bookstore!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anna Tan grew up in Malaysia, the country that is not Singapore. She is interested in Malay/Nusantara and Chinese legends and folklore in exploring the intersection of language, culture, and faith.

Anna has an MA in Creative Writing: The Novel under a Chevening scholarship and is the President of the Malaysian Writers Society. She can be found tweeting as @natzers and forgetting to update annatsp.com.



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COVER ARTIST

Jiwosophy is the body of work of aspiring Malaysian-based artist/illustrator, Shahril Majid, also known by his artist handle, Jiwo. His art is a potpourri of peculiar characters, whimsical colour combinations, organic abstract shapes and eccentric philosophies.





Sunday 20 November 2022

The #BookLaunch Tour for #AbsolutionNovel starts tomorrow!


The Absolution launch tour starts tomorrow! Which means that sales also start tomorrow! Get ready to click those buy buttons! :D

I'll be updating these links to the actual posts throughout the entire tour, so do check back here every day! 


24 November

22 November

23 November

24 November

  • GTLF LAUNCH EVENT @ Digital Penang with Daphne Lee – https://daphnelee.org/ Join us in person at the Digital Penang Event Hall at 10:30am! The Malaysian Writers Society will also have a book booth at the UAB building, where you'll be able to buy my books! (Plus books from other Malaysian writers)


25 November

28 November

29 November

  • Karnival Oren @ Level 3, Komtar. In conjunction with Penang Goes Orange, over 80 booths will be set up for this sales carnival – including one by Teaspoon Publishing! Catch us there from 9AM to 5PM. 

30 November


---

Don't forget our launch week sales starting tomorrow!

Find them on your favourite ebook store:


Purchase direct from TeaspoonPublishing:

Ebooks: Amok | The Tale of the Hostage Prince | Absolution

Paperbacks: Amok | The Tale of the Hostage Prince | Absolution (pre-order)

Wednesday 16 November 2022

#bookreview: Red Scholar's Wake | Aliette de Bodard

The Red Scholar's WakeThe Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SPACE PIRATES. That's all.

---

Xich Si's scavenger ship is taken by pirates in the wake of the Red Scholar's death, and you know how it goes: she can never go home again. But will she be pressed into service as a bondsperson? Or will she be tortured to death as her business partner had been? What she doesn't expect is to be offered a marriage contract by Rice Fish, the ship itself and also the Red Scholar's widow. It's a marriage of convenience, of business and protection, and you know how that usually goes as well.

And to put this right at the start, it's advertised as a sapphic romance, so if that's not what you can accept, then this story is not for you. No blindsiding in this one, it's obvious from the start that the two of them are going to, well... Anyway, there is at least one graphic scene, obviously right before the betrayal (or misunderstanding) though it's a strange stretch (for me) to think of a person and a mindship? An avatar? Relationships-wise at any rate, I do not think there is a single heterosexual relationship in this novel. If there was, it was just never really talked about at all.

The entire novel is layered in Vietnamese imagery, like a peek into a new world for me. One that seems faintly familiar in its Asianness and yet vastly different as well. There's that hierarchy of both age and status: the distance of the elder aunts and young child, the closeness of sisters. The descriptions - especially of their clothes and their overlays - are rich and detailed I sometimes wonder what's the significance of the phoenixes and the peaches and all the other stuff that appears on Tien's clothes that I've already forgotten.

The Red Scholar's Wake is a story full of open tropes and yet one full of hidden depths...skilfully engineered together to fulfil your every expectation--and beyond. It's Xich Si doing anything she can to keep her daughter alive and safe, and Rice Fish learning to love again from the ruins of her past. It's lawful space pirates against a corrupted legal society, the small people against the Big Powers, power plays and politics, a building and breaking of trust, family lost and family found. And all-too-perceptive children.

Come for the tropes, stay because it's a truly entertaining read.

Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from the Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

View all my reviews

Thursday 10 November 2022

14 days to the launch of #AbsolutionNovel!

I'm counting down the days until Absolution drops in your laps (e-readers)! 

While I was hoping for a stress-free, problem-free book launch for once (Amok faced delays because of Covid lockdowns; Hostage Prince was relatively drama-free but also extremely low-key), obviously that's not to be.

The hold-up this time is because, about a year ago, I applied for a literature grant...and we've been in the final stages of signing the agreement for about a month now! At any rate, we're working towards finalising this thing and approving it for print, which means physical paperbacks should probably drop sometime in December...

BUT ANYWAY.


Ebooks and international paperbacks are releasing on 24 November and in line with that, we're having a book launch tour! 


Go check out these wonderful bloggers, Instagrammers, and YouTubers who've come together to help celebrate the release of Absolution!

24 November

22 November

23 November

24 November

25 November

28 November

29 November

  • Karnival Oren @ Komtar **

30 November


* This is an in-person event as part of the George Town Literary Festival! Check out the festival programme here.


** This is an in-person sales carnival in Komtar. Do swing by if you're in town, where you can check out stuff made and sold by women entrepreneurs in Penang! 


Ready for a great new read??????

PRE-ORDER ABSOLUTION NOW!

ebook | paperback

Wednesday 9 November 2022

#bookreview: Amos the Amazing | Jorah Kai

Amos The AmazingAmos The Amazing by Jorah Kai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amos the Amazing follows the adventures of twelve-year-old Amos as he chases the huli jing, a fox-spirit trickster, into Dreamland in an effort to recover the missing half of his soul and find a way to cure his ailing grandfather.

Set both in a future solarpunk Chongqing and a fantasy world of Kai's device, Amos the Amazing, in a nutshell, is a strange juxtaposition of many things. It is both futuristic - with fancy tech, robots and trips to the moon - and yet ancient - a medieval-type fantasy world with dragons, forgotten ruins, artefacts, and myths from the past. It's a modern story filled with fantastical ideas and places, yet written in an old-school style: a story-within-a-story, with a mysterious Storyteller telling Alice and her friends about his book about a boy named Amos.

Is this Amos the same boy that Alice once knew? Who is the Storyteller and why is he telling this story to Alice? Will Alice ever find out what happened to her friend Amos and reconnect with Ruby? All that is part of the mystery leading on to the second book in the series. (A very cool preview
of a Harry-Potteresque book 2 is included at the end of this one.)

But before we get there, let's jump back to the juxtapositions because it felt like there was just a bit too much of it. There's a little dissonance between the text and the reader, a bit of unwieldiness in the reading. It's not exactly a hard read - and yet the text is heavy. Kai seems to favour long sentences (a pet peeve of mine) that merge a lot of thoughts together. There are wonderful descriptions of everything - to the point where it feels over-described and I can't quite see it anymore.

I can't quite pinpoint who his main audience is. It feels like it should be something between an MG or YA story, mostly because the main protagonists are an irresponsible 12YO boy and a coming-of-age 17YO girl. And yet the language and the rhythms he uses feel more adult literary, maybe because of all the in-text literary references and in-jokes.

Still, these are all just quibbles, mostly around reading tastes and/or preferences. Amos the Amazing was quite an interesting read full of unexpected events, major character growth, and lovely illustrations. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

View all my reviews

Get a copy now!

Tuesday 1 November 2022

#coverreveal: Absolution!

If cursed is the hand that kills, then it wouldn’t matter if that same hand stole, would it?

Tulen feels doubly cursed, forced to serve the bratty princess of Impian as punishment for her crimes. When said princess embarks on a pilgrimage, Tulen grabs her only chance to offer a sacrifice at the holy city of Suci—and maybe, finally, feel clean again.

Sultan Mikal has set his face towards Suci—and certain death. Nothing about his Penance is clear, except the fact that if he fails, Terang will fall along with him.

When Tulen’s pilgrimage intersects with Sultan Mikal’s quest to fulfil the Covenant of Salt, Tulen faces a difficult dilemma: What is her absolution worth in the face of the sultanate’s very existence?

~

At long, long last, we're entering the last stages of publishing Absolution. And today, we reveal our stunning cover, by the outstanding Jiwosopy!

Absolution launches online on 24 November 2022!

Here's where you can currently pre-order your copy!

Amazon | Other ebook retailers | Paperbacks (Malaysia)

Absolution (Absolution, #2)

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