Hampshire-based debut author Eira Morgan-Jones has published her debut novel, Sentinel of the Sun, which takes a look at her Welsh ancestry through a fantastical lens.
Since the very earliest civilisation, sentinels have watched over humanity, protecting the balance of nature from afar. The assassination of one of their number triggers a cascade of increasingly fierce natural disasters, the latest of which wipes out the rural valley home of seventeen-year-old Alexis, an introverted teenager struggling to find her place in an overbearing religious society. That is, until she learns of the sentinels and that she might just be the murdered sentinel returned. With the help of a mysterious stranger, Alexis must leave the ruins of her home and discover the truth behind her own murder.
A fast-paced, epic YA fantasy set in an original world but with a distinctively Welsh flavour, Sentinel of the Sun is, as author Eira Morgan-Jones says, ‘a love letter to my Welsh ancestry.’
Along with the connections to Wales, Eira’s debut novel deals with challenging themes including LGBTQ+ issues, class struggles, environmentalism and patriarchy, making it an incredibly captivating and powerful read.
The perfect fantasy novel for fans of The Hunger Games, Sentinel of the Sun is also a celebration of female friendship, with Alexis serving as a strong, female lead character who, as Eira says, ‘is the strong female lead I craved as a young person – a girl with dirt under her nails who isn’t afraid to break rules to get things done.’
About the Author
Curently working as Specialist Communications Manager for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Eira Morgan-Jones has previously published three children’s books: Tales from Cardinham Woods, A Christmas Tale from Cardinham Woods and Ella and the Beast. She has also worked as the ghost-writer of a regular doctor’s column for the Basingstoke Gazette. Eira has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Glamorgan and a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing from Falmouth University. Eira is based in Southampton.
