The Crimson Battle Axe by Dr. Curtis Oddo
--Features original cover art by the transcendent fantasy artists Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell
What do you do after you lose your job, your marriage and your money? If you’re Curtis Oddo the one thing you never do is lose hope. He stocked up on tuna, sold some of his sports cards collection to pay the bills, bought a computer and penned an amazing classic fantasy novel, topped off by enlisting the world famous fantasy artists Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell to paint the electrifying cover of the book.
Oddo’s debut novel The Crimson Battle Axe, is a sword-and-sorcery hero tale about justice versus vengeance, love versus apathy, forgiveness versus bitterness, and good versus evil.
“The goal of my book was to write a really fun, exciting, and intriguing story that people who were going through tough times could enjoy,” says Oddo. “And I wanted to explore poignant topics through characters I could identify with, characters with flaws, real emotions, real conflicts. The added bonus was having my cover art done by two of the most acclaimed fantasy artists working today.”
In The Crimson Battle Axe Oddo created a strange world of myth and magic – a medieval environment similar to earth - where fantastic races, powerful magic and the dark forces of evil abound - where one name is feared above all others: Gnarl, wielder of the Crimson Battle Axe. Gnarl fought against his enemies, the humans, who slaughtered and enslaved his race for over a century. He, through destiny, meets the daughter of that enemy, Thelady, whom he promises to help should she ever be in need of his aid. When she requests that he defend the very people he hates the most, he puts aside his differences with the humans and other races in his world to succeed against the greatest evil his world has ever known, the Dark Lord Nobis. As Gnarl faces death at every turn, the fate of the world rests upon his unusual relationship with this lovely young human female.
Throughout the story tough choices must be made by the main characters, as they must choose the right path while constantly challenged by doubts and dark forces working against them. Through fantastic battles and tender moments, with humor and unlikely friendship, they follow their destiny on an amazing quest.
“The Crimson Battle Axe is unique in that it’s not your typical modern fiction or dark fantasy, it has a more classical literature feel to it,” adds Oddo. “It’s full of fantastic battles, brave comrades-in-arms, beautiful heroines, exciting quests, and an exciting, climatic finish.
In reference to The Crimson Battle Axe artists Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell had this to say in their blog “Paint and Brush”: “The book is chock full of action and fantasy. The art was lots of fun to do and the book is lots of fun to read!”
Dr. Curtis Oddo, MD, is a primary care pediatrician for Providence Health Systems who has specialized in the area of child abuse. He plays guitar and writes his own music, is an avid reader of classical literature and has a passion for good movies (attending the Sundance Film Festival three times). He lives in Oregon with his daughter, Tabalitha and son, David Oddo. The Crimson Battle Axe is his first novel.
Please visit the author’s webpage at:
www.crimsonbattleaxe.wordpress.comCover art by Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell:
http://imaginistix.blogspot.com/
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