Krista D. Ball is apparently an award-winning author, something that shocked her mother who went to her grave believing it was a lie. After all, Krista writes lies for a living. Born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada, the quickest way to get on Krista's nerves is to pronounce it NEW- Found-Lund.

After obtaining a degree in British History, Krista needed to justify her student loans. Thirty books later, including the popular What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank: A Fantasy Lovers Food Guide, the loans are finally paid off, but now she's not qualified to do anything else but write books. Expect more in the future. That wasn't meant to sound like a threat.

2x Prix Aurora Award finalist (2018, 2022), 1x Prix Aurora Award (2021)

4x Stabby Award winner (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)

The Demons We See by Krista D. Ball

Society was rocked when the Cathedral appointed Allegra, Contessa of Marsina, to negotiate the delicate peace talks between the rebelling mage slaves and the various states. Not only was she a highborn mage, she was a nonbeliever and a vocal objector against the supposed demonic origins of witchcraft. Demons weren't real, she'd argued, and therefore the subjection of mages was unlawful.

That was all before the first assassination attempt. That was before Allegra heard the demonic shrieks. All before everything changed. Now Allegra and her personal guards race to stabilize the peace before the entire known world explodes into war with not just itself, but with the abyss from beyond. So much for demons not being real.

CURATOR'S NOTE

The world is changing and on the verge of collapse in this quick-paced epic fantasy by beloved fantasy author Krista D. Ball! If you've never read her stories before, brace yourself…her tales grab you and don't let go! – Marie Bilodeau

 

REVIEWS

  • "[Ball's] thorough characterization is the thread of gold that will capture your heart as she builds the stakes to the boil and finishes with explosive confrontation."

    – Janny Wurts, author of War of Light and Shadow series

  • "a prime example of the power of fantasy to safely explore real-world problems."

    – r/Fantasy review

  • "I just spent half the book feeling Krista had her hand in my chest, holding my heart, about to twist."

    – Dianthaa Drabbles at https://dianthaa.com/
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

He listened helplessly as the royal guards stormed into the great foyer of the estate. Crammed into a hidden corridor with six other mages, he couldn't help their protector if any of them were found. So they all waited, listened, and hoped.

Lady Acardi spoke first. "General, why have you barged into my home uninvited?"

General Bonacieux's voice was loud and unyielding. "By the authority of Queen Portia and the Holy Cathedral, you are accused of being an elemental witch."

One of the mages behind him gasped. Walter kicked her in the shin. The mage made another muffled sound of protest before she settled down. If the Butcher of Fort Bonnet even thought he heard voices in the walls, he'd burn the ancient estate to the ground before risking a mage run free.

Lady Acardi laughed, a mocking sound. "Starve in the abyss, you upstart pissant. How dare you come in here and accuse me, a woman of the blood, to be an elemental! You have no proof."

"I have the authority of the Queen and I require no proof, witch bitch." He paused to regain his composure. "Property to be forfeit and all assets seized, pending investigation."

"You swine! I'll never see a trial and we both know it. You'll have all of my money spent before I'm crushed to death in a mine explosion."

"You can choose to kill yourself now and save us the expense of a trial."

Even through the walls, it was clear Lady Acardi had spat in the General's face. He couldn't help but grin silently at her brass courage. His smile quickly faded, however, as he knew what would come next. It was the same thing over and over.

The General's voice turned enraged. "Guards! Arrest everyone in the house. If she won't show herself the witch we know she is, then we'll send the entire household to the prison mines."

"You bastard," Lady Acardi snarled, even as she grunted and gasped. They must have attacked her. "There are children in this house!"

"Then tell the truth, bitch, or they will all meet the same fate!"

Don't do it. Don't do it. He didn't dare speak the words aloud, but he prayed them as hard as he could, as if the Almighty would condescend, just this once, to intercede on a mage's behalf. As ever, Almighty took the side of oppressors and murderers.

Lady Acardi had spent a lifetime successfully hiding her talent from the world, so it didn't surprise him what came next.

The floor beneath their feet shook as Lady Acardi screamed, "Demons take you!"

He was thrown against the wall as the house shook. Once he found his feet, he pushed his compatriots. "Go!" he whispered. "We have minutes before they discover the panel."

Lady Acardi's screams died abruptly. He closed his eyes and asked the Almighty to accept her into His arms, for she had been good to mages. She had given her life in the fight for freedom.

Almighty, if you care at all, protect us now.

"The only good witch is a dead witch," the General shouted. "Arrest everyone in the house for harboring an elemental mage."

"Run," he said, as they rushed through the underground tunnels of the ancient stone house.

"Where are we going to go, Walter?"

He kept running, heart pounding, knowing that every step might be his last if the soldiers found the loose panel in the foyer. They'd be looking for it, too. They always looked for the secret doors and passageways.

Finally, he said, "Just keep running."