Thread of a Spider- a historical fantasy bound in leather.
The Story
Thread of a Spider is a historical fantasy that weaves history and Irish myth together to tell a story of two teenage siblings caught in a war and swathed in the legends of Erie.Â
History:
1920 found Ireland at the peak of tensions that had been building for centuries. Famine, tyranny, and strife robbed the Irish of their homes, their lives, and their country. Four years after the Easter Rising, the pressure became so great, that the southern Irish took up arms against the British and fought for a free nation.
Hardcover of Thread of a Spider mock up. This will have a silver die stamp
Knowing that he would face execution in Dublin, she makes a solemn promise to save him, confident that her brother and Liam's men would rally to her aid. However, the forest folk have a hidden motive, and entice Paddy with an enchanting melody, whisking him away into their magical realm.
Ailis, alone and confused, her loyalty and strength is put to test. The impending execution of Liam and the dire situation faced by his troops leaves her hopeless. She has no choice but to track down Paddy and implore his abductors, hoping their magic will turn the tides.Â
Thread of a spider begins a haunting melody sung by the Fae folk, luring the young Paddy Kilpatrick deep into a magical forest, away from his sister Ailis:
art by Thomas Maybank (exh. 1898-1912 ) - “The Court of Faerie”, 1906. Creative Commons
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British evicting Irish tenants
Excerpt:
"When she wiped her eyes and peered up at her brother—his jaw set, his red hair flying in the moonlit eve—she could tell he had changed. More than anger burned in his eyes. Paddy would never be the same. Neither of them would forget this night. She saw the resistance in him that was crystalizing in her own heart. They were being molded into the same stone so many martyrs of Éire had been carved from. There were no more questions."
 -Thread of a Spider
Hogan's Flying Column
Excerpt:
“We’ll be in the hills for only a a few minutes and then we’ll cut across through the farmlands.”
“Out in the open? How will we hide the guns?”
“Under our coats. Everyone knows there’s been a raiding party in Kilbrittain. A couple of homeless peasants relocating is not an uncommon sight to the British. We’ll have packs and we’ll be wrapped up in blankets.”
“And if we’re stopped and searched?”
“We fire.”
She looked up at him, “We shoot?”
“This is war, 'a mhuirnĂn'. You either get caught, get killed, or get away.” - Thread of a Spider
This is an ongoing project and is getting more pages even as we speak, with images that inspired the story, both historical, contemporary, and art. Links to videos, articles, and books that I used as research. A commentary, some amazing trivia, and some of my own artwork. This comes as a PDF to everyone so you can print it.Â
Those of you who ordered this as an add-on will get extra pages!
Here are some sample pages
Pages to The Making of Thread of a Spider
$4,000 Stretch Goal Locked
3 Coloring pages drawn by yours truly, and The Far Side of Heaven eBook.
Coloring pages
$5 eBook Are you a digital reader? Pick up the eBook sent to you through BookFunnel.Â
eBook
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$25 The eBook and the award winning Audio Book narrated by Lee Brophy
Independent release of the award winning audio book narrated by Irish comedian and actor Lee Brophy. Winner of the AudioBook Choice Award 2018, Lee, with his Irish accent, brings the story to life.Â
Read a review of the Audiobook
 I found out about this magical story from Facebook when the author was searching for reviewers. Being new to this author, and having never heard of this book, I was intrigued and gladly agreed. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it far surpassed anything I could have imagined from the blurb. While it sounds interesting, it's the writing style and characters that I love. The characters are not only Irish but are written in such a way that they come to life, and I'm so glad I got the chance to listen to this on audio. What a magical experience! I loved how they were portrayed, and their deep sense of traditional values, friends, family, and what it means to be Irish.Â
The Fae, or faery folk, were a treat all to themselves! Not the fairies we think of from Disney, but the darker, more traditional version. Full of tricks and deceptions, yet willing to help for the right price. I loved the fantasy side of this story, but more so because D.L. Gardner wrote both a wonderful historical fiction and a magical tale, which combined seamlessly into this treasure! Not only did Alias and Paddy seem real, but I could also easily imagine faery folk as real as any human! The descriptions are rich and detailed, making it easy to play out like a movie as I listened. This is one you definitely don't want to miss!Â
$30 A paperback of Thread of a Spider signed by the author.
Paperback
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$75 The special edition, leather hardcover of Thread of a Spider, is wrapped in a beautiful silver foil dust jacket with the original cover art. This cover was created by myself, local modeling talent, and my cover artist Les T.Â
$130 Hardcover Bundle
This hardcover bundle gets your name in the acknowledgments, limited edition, signed and numbered with a personalized note from the author, the audio book, the eBook, and the special edition bookmark
Find out why I wrote this as a historical fantasy rather than a historical novel.
Backers who pledge the first 48 hours will get a special, exclusive manuscript filled with resources that I used for research, images, and a deleted chapter titled Saving Mr. Neil.Â
"Thread of a Spider is an absorbing story that smoothly combines key elements from both history and fantasy. Author D. L. Gardner (also a fellow contributor at Amazing Stories) has created a magical little world filled with courage and charm set in an unlikely stage of war and terror."Â
- Amazing Stories Magazine
"In this magical YA historical fantasy, Ailis and Paddy Kilpatrick, brother and sister, are caught up in the 1920's Irish war for independence. People they love and know are dying, suffering, fighting, and starving. Against all odds and with a little help from the Fae, faery folk, the war might yet be won and the British driven back across the sea."
 "Wow, I just went to Ireland. The sights, the sounds, the smells were all around me and I felt like I could actually reach out and touch the things described in each scene. DL Gardner's writing is so vivid you are there with the characters, running, hiding, fighting and weeping. Thread of a Spider is such an amazing story, I had book depression when it ended. I wanted to go back to Ireland and spend more time with these wonderful characters and roam in this amazing country. "
D.L. Gardner is an award winning author, artist, filmmaker, and screenwriter with over 27 novels, novellas, and short stories to her credit. Writing and painting are her passions and fantasy her forte.Â
"I believe a book should be memorable enough that it passes from one generation to the next.
Awards include Wishing Shelf book Award 2023 for audio, B.R.A.G. Award 2022 for the Cho Nisi series, Book Excellence Award 2019 and 2015 for Ian's Realm and Cassandra's Castle. Best Screenplay adaption from her book Dylan at the Paris Screenplay Awards, Mile Hill International Screenplay Awards, L.A. Edge Awards, European Cinematography Awards, and Moondance Film Festival. Best Screenplay Award for adaption from her book An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody at Veers Film Festival, Best Screenplay Award for adaption of Ian's Realm at the Twin Falls Sandwiches Film Festival and many more.
Booktopia
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