Today is the start of a new journey with the release of The Chosen One Con! The first in the Lost in the Aether duology, a gaslamp fantasy of industrial magic, TV shows, designer enchantments, celebrity-branded potions, and a contest to find a prophesized chosen one.
The Chosen One Con is available now on Amazon, Kobo, Itch.io and direct via Kofi, with other online stores such as Apple Books to come. Paperbacks ARE on the way, and I’ll post an update as soon as they are available.
This is another big book which took me over a year to write after finishing my first trilogy with The Cruel Gods series. The Chosen One Con is the evolution of my author career. It’s a much darker story, focussing on human cruelties, ignorance, and oppression. However, if you’ve read and enjoyed my Cruel Gods series, you should feel at home here. It’s rude, crude, so please do bear in mind the content warnings.
But what’s it all about? Here’s a reminder:
Magic is a rich man’s game.
Archons control magic in the great city of Aefenhold. Brand-name spells, addictive potions, and celebrity TV keep the poor entertained while they toil in the factories manufacturing magic. That should have been the fate of Max and his childhood friend Lyle, until a violent workers’ strike tears their lives apart, condemning Lyle to the aetherstone mines and leaving Max orphaned with no choice but to sell his labour to a brothel.
Life under the Archon’s rule has given Max a taste for magical narcotics, and left Lyle with aether dust in his lungs and a deep resentment for magic. So when Aefenhold’s rulers announce a televised contest to find the chosen one–a prophesized distraction to unite the city against its detractors–both Max and Lyle see an opportunity to con their way into the contest.
Where Max seeks to steal magic for his freedom, Lyle views magic as a tool of oppression to be destroyed. Their old friendship will be tested as they’re forced to become adversaries against famous rival mages in a series of magical trials. Whoever becomes the chosen one will change the shape of magic forever.
But magic is a rich man’s game, and should Max or Lyle be discovered as frauds, their deaths will be televised next.
Sound interesting? Here are what early reviews are saying:
Well that was one heck of a read.
Well, how about that? I mean, this was one of THE BEST reads of the year, so far, I kid you not.
The Chosen One Con is an unapologetically queer story that tackles real world issues, criticizes capitalism, and showcases a fantasy version of real life TV, all wrapped in a drug-infused story of rebellion, loyalty, and love.
There are a few things you know you’re going to get when your read a book by Trudie Skies:
A detailed, functioning world full of its own strange quirks and dark undertones
Masterful foreshadowing that lets you think you’ve guessed the plot twist… But did you really think that was the whole thing? Hahahaha!
All the queerness you could possibly imagine.
Learn more about The Chosen One Con and read the first chapter for your glimpse into Max and Lyle’s life. I hope you enjoy this new journey into Aefenhold!
