Kai Zeal's Monthly Newsletter (April 2025)
Apr 15, 2025 7:02 pm
Hello everyone! It's hard to believe it's already half through April (I feel like I say this every month, but also, every month I believe it-- time is both moving super slow and super fast at once right now!).
Updates
Riyati
While there isn't too much new news with Riyati, the things I have to share are exciting!
First up is a reminder: Riyati Rivals -- book ii of the Riyati series -- is up for pre-order now! I also have a pre-order sale currently going on through itch.io (which if you hadn't heard, is a great place to check out marginalized indie books-- more on that in a bit).
As the graphic shows, I have both Riyati Rebirth and Riyati Rivals as a bundle on itch.io at the moment, where you can get both books for the price of one! If you haven't had the chance to read Riyati Rebirth yet, it's a great time to start on the series considering Riyati Rivals launches this time next month (on the day even đź‘€ ).
If you've already read Riyati Rebirth, Riyati Rivals is up for pre-orders at most other retailers (including on itch.io standalone), as well! (It's also listed on Goodreads, TheStoryGraph, IndieStoryGeek, and BookBub as well, if you're looking to wishlist or review once it releases-- as always, every review is super helpful for readers to know if they'd like the series, so I appreciate each review someone leaves!)
Speaking of ordering, I also finally have most physical proof copies of both Riyati Rebirth's new cover and Riyati Rivals approved and ready for ordering! In particular, I want to show a few quick pictures of my direct store's exclusive deluxe editions. Riyati Rivals's Deluxe Edition proof had a slight printing error (it's missing the "deluxe edition" label oops), but otherwise, these are books I'm super proud of: they have thicker paper, color illustrations, foil on both the hardcover and jackets (it has a jacket too, by the way!), bookmarks, and sprayed edges! I can't do justice for how beautiful the foil looks in person-- learning how to properly photograph these beauties is going to be something I work on in the next month, so hopefully I'll have better pictures to share then. In the meantime, you can check out my current pictures and order yourself a copy today! (The deluxe editions also come with a code for ebook copy of each respective book, so you don't have to worry about ordering the ebook separately either.)
These are my direct store copies, but physical copies for Amazon are also up for order, with paperback up at other retailers for both Riyati Rebirth and Riyati Rivals. The hardback for Riyati Rivals had a bit of a problem for non-direct store orders, so it's going to be up very soon here!
Direct Storefront Books by spine; they're all roughly the same size, but the Deluxe Editions do have the extra character art + high quality paper so they're a bit chonkier)
Riyati Rebirth's Deluxe Edition, with a view of the front foiled sleeve and interior of the book
Riyati Rivals's Deluxe Edition, with a view of two pieces of character art, bookmark, and foiled sleeve
I've got a ton more photos I hope to be adding to the storefront either today or tomorrow for the Deluxe Editions, but if you'd like to check them out now, newsletter subscribers get an exclusive coupon for 25% off the physical editions of any Riyati book (including the Deluxe Editions!) from now until the end of the month-- just use code april2025-newsletter before May 1!
As I'll mention a bit more in the personal updates below, I haven't had too much time for me to work on the Riyati Library Archives this month, unfortunately. Because of that, I've left it open for preview one more month, so if you didn't have a chance to check out the extra stories, character art, and other content, there's no time like the present! The Riyati Library Archives will host bonus content in the Riyati series, updated on a monthly basis, avaliable only to my ko-fi subscribers. I haven't been able to set up the ko-fi subscription yet, but you're welcome to follow me on ko-fi now so that you know when those subscriptions are live.
And as a final reminder, if you didn't grab your free copy of Riyati Origins last month, you can do so at the link below! All newsletter subscribers (and members of Riyati Library Archives) can get this exclusive Riyati prequel for free.
Long before Kylie Rae ran into the forest that fateful day, there lived another woman — Kisate Riyati, crowned princess to the Royal Kingdom of Riyati. This is her story, of how kingdoms fall and dreams are dashed.
Just before Kisate’s twenty-second birthday, she received word that the man she’d secretly loved for many years was now arranged to be her eventual husband, Takite Tanoti. Yet this news sets in motion a series of events that would not just be life changing, but ultimately instigates the destruction of the kingdom she was to rule. What was meant as a kindness to Asuza Nuueti, her primary servant and a man that long since had unrequited feelings toward her, will both save her and damn her.
Explore the beginnings of the Riyati universe, back when the Ancient Kingdom of Riyati still thrived — and see Kisate, Takite, and Asuza as they once were, long before the events of Riyati Rebirth.
Personal
As far as my personal life, it's been a bit busy on the university front this past month-- I've now submitted the written component of my comprehensive exam; unfortunately, this exam (really more of a project/long paper, given it's a month long, open book, and around 50 pages) is administered right in the middle of midterms and finals, so keeping up with coursework while working on the exam (while my migraine treatment was running low on effectiveness) was certainly a task. The good news is that the written component was shipped off this past Saturday, and I'm hoping to hear good news so that I can move onto the verbal component next! This exam is important for a few reasons: one of them is that I can't progress into my dissertation planning/work without passing it. As well, if I fail it three times, I'm removed from my program, all the work I've done the past three years wasted. So I'm hoping to have good news to share with everyone one of these newsletters, because it's a very important milestone in my program, to say the least. But for now, I'm just glad it's over.
In more lighthearted news, I'm in chapter 8 of Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition and have been greatly enjoying it-- it's such a chill game to vibe to and explore. I've also really enjoyed the characters over all (even Tatsu hasn't really bothered me, though I'm none too fond of Hope or Boze). Maybe I'll be past chapter 13 next newsletter, but I'm not too certain of that with how slow I've been going! I'm also looking forward to the Moon Base crafting in Final Fantasy XIV's 7.21 patch; I love the lopporits, and want to squeeze them and hug them forever, so that's where I'll be in game soon. 🫡
Upcoming and On-Going Promos
It's #IndieApril, and with it, a ton of great promos going on this month! Such as...
Marginalized Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors on Itch.io Sale
Runs April 1 - 30
The Marginalized SFF Authors on itch.io promo! Remember when I mentioned itch.io is a great place to check out marginalized indie authors? Here's a great starting place, with the collection running from now through the end of the month. Why itch.io? Much like with indie games, itch.io doesn't censor authors, allows authors to provide readers with DRM free copies to read on their ereader of choice (no more getting locked down to one ecosystem!), and provides much better profit margins to your local indie author. So if you're looking for your next book buy, check out itch.io-- and specifically, the books in these bundles!
Elemental Magic Sale
Runs April 1 - 19
Looking for some fantasy books featuring elemental magic? Check out this sale, which only runs for a few more days!
Fantastic Realms: Free Fantasy Reads - April Edition
Runs April 1 - 30
If you're looking for some free fantasy books and samples, check out this promo that runs until the end of the month!
Books to Check Out
Saved by Fae by Layla K. Wood
Lottie bought a house in the woods, not knowing that danger lurked around the corner.
Errol, a Seelie Fae, follows a scent to discover Lottie being attacked by a strange Unseelie.
After being rescued by Errol, Lottie discovers the existence of Fae in her world. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The Unseelie who attacked Lottie could come after her again and Errol is determined to protect her.
As Errol and Lottie seek answers, they discover that Lottie is secretly the daughter of the Unseelie queen and has had her memories magically repressed. Breaking Lottie’s spell could mean disaster.
Errol must save Lottie and the rest of the world. To do so, he needs to defeat the Unseelie queen before it’s too late.
Saved by Fae is a clean fantasy romance with more action than intimacy and a happily ever after.
Shielded by Dan Kenner
A Prequel to The Lightbearer Chronicles.
A boring life. That’s all Talatha asked for. She’s been able to live that way for years--a wife to a talented fletcher, a mother to a newborn son.
But her Shield of blue Light can only protect her for so long.
She despises the power thrust upon her in her youth. Despite her loathing, Talatha feels forced to use her Shield to protect herself and her family from those seeking Lightbearers to bolster their forces for an underground war. But now they’ve found her.
What happens if her gift can no longer protect her or the ones she loves?
The Witch's Crystal by Devon Gambrell
Imagine being given the chance for revenge with the backing of an army.
The Jasden Masacre happened eight years ago and still haunts the survivors today. It will take a prince, a knight-–sorcerer, and a cursed witch to bring down the court of the Sleeping Queen.
Prince Derek wants the throne to save his country from ruin. But the Sleeping Queen’s supporters want him dead. In order to take the crown, Derek will need to draw out his enemies with the promise to wake Queen Fazune using the Witch’s Crystal. The Crystal is in the Netherworld, and it will take a powerful witch and an even more powerful sorcerer to retrieve it.
Tannis, his family disgraced by the cowardliness of his father, will embark on the journey and clear his family’s name. He finds the witch, Amabel, to be eccentric and more than a little annoying, and her family’s secrets make him wonder if they can be trusted. Fighting his attraction, he protects her from danger—and sometimes herself.
Amabel has her own needs for the Crystal and Queen Fazune. She cares little for Derek so long as he doesn’t interfere with her plans. On the other hand, she doesn’t mind the powerful sorcerer Tannis as a distraction. As they travel, she lays the plans to bring down the current crown of Lensavine. With her family’s lives on the line, she will do whatever it takes. Even if she has to die.
Derek, Tannis, and Amabel will join forces. Each will right past wrongs while facing death, as each has their own reason to bring Queen Fazune to her knees. Together they will save not only Lensavine, but the world.
Salt in the Wind by Jenna Pine
When the Burning Rains come, everything will change...starting with Elodie's mother. A Sea of Broken Glass Prequel
Six-year-old Elodie knows her mother is different, wielding a magic few are chosen to carry. And she knows she can't ever tell anyone in her small floating village. But as long as she is with her sister and parents, she knows they are safe.
Until fire known as Burning Rain falls from the sky, and her mother's forbidden magic takes on a life of its own. Suddenly, Elodie's small world is shifting in terrifying ways she never knew possible, and danger lies in wait at their door. If the village finds out about her mother - and now her baby sister - they will destroy her small family forever.
Salt in the Wind is the heart-wrenching prequel to the upcoming queer fantasy novel Sea of Broken Glass coming in June 2024, a story all about sisterhood, survival in a harsh wilderness, finding one's place in the world, and deconstructing a lifelong faith.
Closing
I thought this was going to be a shorter newsletter, but now that I'm at the end... a lot actually still happened this past month! When I'm sending this newsletter next month, Riyati Rivals will be officially launched, and I'm looking forward to entering this next "era" of the Riyati series with you all.
Until then!
Kai