Recently on Instagram, I encountered these wonderful new images for the Italian editions of The Soldier Son Trilogy. This set of books is not as well kmown as my other works. And no, it does not take place in the same world as the Farseer Trilogy or the Liveship Traders. These three books, titled in English as Shaman's Crossing, Forest Mage, and Renegade's Magic take place in a world unique to these three volumes.
Nevare is my hero in this story of a second son of a noble family, the lad who is expected to become a soldier and serve his king. What happens when a soldier becomes 'infected' with the magic of the indigenous people that his folk are colonizing?
And that is as close to a spoiler as I'm going to go.
I am very pleased to share this cover art for the Italian editions of The Soldier Son Trilogy. Published by Fanucci Editore (Follow that link for more astounding art.)
These covers were created by Antonello Venditti.
This cover art, in my opinion, is true to the story in the books. I am very pleased that the artist chose to read the books and illustrate the cover in a way that was in keeping with the story. in his own words:
"Working on these covers meant facing a challenge: remaining faithful to the narrative force and the profound messages the author conveys, or bending instead to a more "commercial" image, aligned with dominant aesthetic stereotypes.
I chose the first path. Because bodies tell stories, and beauty has neither a single face nor a single canon. An illustration is never mere ornament: it carries a duty—the duty to convey truth, dignity, and the possibility of recognition.
Otherwise, art risks being reduced to a mere commissioned execution, an exercise in flattery, serving only to feed illusions and perpetuate the idea that "beautiful" must always and only mean the same thing."
--Antonello Venditti