Sceadu
by Prashant Pinge
ebook, 246 pages
Expected publication: November 10th 2014
All this while, Matilda’s shadow had been growing larger and larger. Suddenly, it lunged out of the ground and swallowed her, like a python does its unsuspecting prey.
Nine year old Matilda ends up with a century old book through a series of strange coincidences. And disappears. Her brother and cousins are forced to suspend their hostilities and pursue her to Sceadu, a land inside the human shadow. Once there, the reluctant visitors find themselves chased by the vicious Hefigans, creatures of Sceadu. However, everything changes with the revelation of an ancient prophecy that foretells the doom of the world they left behind.
With the stakes suddenly raised, the children must now navigate the dangerous terrain, overcome grave challenges, and unlock the secrets of the shadow. But can they do it in time to thwart the plans of the treacherous Hefigans? Or will they succumb to the guile of a ruthless enemy who is equally determined to destroy mankind?
Sceadu is a fast-paced adventure which blurs the boundary between the physical and the psychological, the real and the mythical.
Interview
After writing children’s fiction for more than a decade, what prompted you to write a young adult fantasy novel?
I have always wanted to experiment with different genres. However, the decision to write a young adult fantasy novel was not a conscious one. The catalyst was an idea I had early one morning a few years ago. But once it took seed, I knew I had to write this book. I shall, however, continue to write children’s fiction, a genre I immensely enjoy working in.
The title of your book is quite unique. How do you pronounce it? Where did you get the idea for this book?
The title is pronounced as ‘shay-du’. It is the old English term for shadow. I have always been fascinated by human shadows, our constant companions who are relegated to playing second fiddle most of the time. In physics, shadows are formed when an object blocks light. In psychology though, the concept of the shadow is a very interesting one. However, I shall leave that for the readers to discover in the book.
Did you draw any inspiration from your own life when it came to developing the characters?
As a matter of fact, I did. It was easier to flesh out realistic characters this way although I took the liberty of exaggerating certain aspects of their personalities to make them more interesting. I feel this will really help readers identify with the characters, immersing them into the adventure.
How is Sceadu different from the other works of fantasy fiction available in the market today?
If I were to think of one reason, it would be the logical basis of the entire fantasy, which makes this a thrilling yet plausible adventure. I also believe it is the only story out there where the human shadow has been given center stage.
When will your book be released? Where can our readers purchase a copy?
Sceadu will be released globally via Kindle on 10th November 2014 and shall be available on Amazon < http://amzn.to/10v4N0d> and other popular online bookstores. For more information, please visit my website: http://www.prashantpinge.com/books/sceadu/.
Prashant Pinge is a published author of short stories and books in the genres of children’s fiction and young adult fantasy fiction. He also writes historical fiction and romantic comedies. His book, Raja & the Giant Donut, was shortlisted for the Economist Crossword Book Awards in the Children’s Writing category in 2011. Prashant lives in Mumbai, India, with his wife, Avantika, and son, Arjun.
The author has drawn on many extraordinary life experiences to contribute to his body of work. In this exclusive interview, he discusses his YA fantasy Sceadu, Your Shadow Holds a Secret and reveals some personal background information on his life and dreams.
