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An Accurate Stelka Guide to the Humans of Kair Toren (Character Art Roundup)

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You asked for an art roundup guide to the main players of Kair Toren.

We’ve put our best agent on the case. Please don’t tell her any spoilers in the comments, they belong here instead.

The art will be available as bookmarks, vellum inserts, and other goodies in the merch store when it reopens in mid-April.

Happy Friday, and happy (re)reading This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me! If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, you can find retail links here.

Sushi art by Jenn Munson

I am stelka.

Maggie calls me Soo’sshi.

I know secrets.

Also fish.

The fish men complain. They make signs about me.

This means I am thriving.

You want all the humans in one place. So you can understand them.

I already do.

But I will show you. Watch closely.

Maggie art by @luisapreissler

This is Maggie.

She did not wake.

I fixed it.

This one is bright.

I stay. I watch the dark places.

I protect.

She has den. I added fish.

Den is better now.

We keep each other.

Solentine Dagarra art by @helena.illustrated

Would steal fish.

Sharp teeth inside smile.

This one kills clean.

No mess.

No noise.

Like biting the back of the neck.

Hands smell like metal and endings.

I would sit close.

But not that close.

Sun Margrave art by @helena.illustrated

This one stands.

Like stone that remembers.

Keeps pack from tearing one another apart.

Does not bend.

Does not break.

Teeth stop here.

If gone –

too much blood.

Clover art by @helena.illustrated

This one runs the den.

Counts. Fixes. Decides.

No teeth.

But all things move when she moves.

Even the tall dangerous ones.

She lives where food is.

Calls me vermin. I hiss.

Keeps everything in place.

Man from the Garden art by @helena.illustrated

Human from garden.

This one is quiet danger.

Like a hunter who already chose.

I do not like being chosen.

Pretty. Not safe.

Watching.

Would not nap near.

Would not share fish.

Would not bite first. Maybe second.

Sleepless Duke art by @luisapreissler


Humans should be simple.

This one is not.

He feels like story.

Stories bite.

This one is above hunters.

Above teeth.

This one is storm.

He burns bright.

Many fish. Many hiding places.

Doran Arvel art by @helena.illustrated


This one shines.

Like fresh meat in the sun.

Wants to be watched.

Always watches too.

Mostly Maggie.

Teeth still sharp.

Like trap.

I stole his fish. I go where I want.

Tasted like flowers.

For a better Stelka-to-human translation and a tour of Kair Toren locations (including the full map of the Kingdom of Rellas) you can revisit Ilona’s kingdom art reveal post here.

UPDATE FROM THE SIGNING TOUR:

House Andrews are signing extras everywhere they go! In case you didn’t manage to make it to the events, but are in the vicinity, you can still grab your own signed copies:

The Barnes& Noble Arboretum in Austin, Tropes and Trifles in Minnesota, and Joseph Beth in Lexington have numerous signed copies of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me.

In addition, B&N Austin has signed Hidden Legacy copies.

Tropes and Trifles has signed copies of Beast Business, Inheritance, Sanctuary, and Innkeeper and Hidden Legacy (including the little paperbacks which are being phased out).

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. The Shears think they know the city, the movers, and the shakers. They have nothing on the stelkas.

    • Especially when you consider the stelka’s take on Maggie…

      That suggests that Sushi might be more than merely She-Who-Gives-Fish…

      I absolutely love the art! Thank you for all the extra blog posts ModR, the updates on HA movements and progress and just EVERYTHING!

      And thank you HA for this excellent book. I have completed my first read and digesting while contemplating my second…

  8. That was wonderful! Go Sushi!!

    Thank you again, Mod R for making this week extra extra special. Hugs!!

  9. Thank you thank you thank you!

    I am just finishing 1st read and trying to imagine what the Sleepless Duke would look like. The answer is smoking hot…🔥🔥🔥

    *sigh*
    I always preferred dark haired men 😁

      • Right?! The moment Maggie saw Ramond on his horse I was like “uu I wanna🤩” and then we met Solentine and I went “uu I wanna more!” 😂😂

  10. All the art is amazing. Thanks for securing the rights to share these via your store.

    Once again, Luisa Preissler just takes my breath away. Her intense visualizations of Maggie and Everard are just magnetic.

  11. Thank you for this! I’ve been trying to track all the art down as I read and got lost in the posts.

  13. It’s no spoiler to say that the book is awesome! The art is awesome! Thank you! (Now I want a stelka. The Author Gods give us the best creatures.)

    • ooooh maybe they can work with Makeship or another stuffie company, and we can get our very own Sushi!!! Guardian of BDH libraries everywhere!

    • Are you imaging a stelka heist?

      I fear the ferrets have cornered that market and also that stelkas might not be so willing to co-operate.

  14. The Sleeping Duke and Sushi’s POV, woohoo! I’m on my second listen and This Kingdom keeps getting better and better!!!

  17. Thanks for the art work. I love the picture of the sleepless Duke! Luisa Preissler is an amazing artist, she depicts the characters beautifully.

    • I know! I needed it to last longer, but the best books never do. At least there is gorgeous artwork to collect, and that will keep me busy for a short while.

    • I actually don’t want to finish!!!! What am I going to do waiting on the next one…awww!!!!

      • What all good BDH members do – Reread. Speculate. Gibber on the forums. Demand the next book. Repeat…

  19. Good fishing Sushi 🍣.

    Mod R when can we get Canada shipment going?

    Thanks for the lovely photos

    • For the merch store?

      I’m afraid not for a while, the Canadian tax situation is much too complex atm for the scope of the store 🙁

    • There are a few companies that specialize in bringing packages from US companies over the border for Canadians. They set you up with a US address and then look after all the border paperwork/taxes and ship it to you domestically. Try googling Shippsy, or Crossborder (the ones I can remember off the top of my head, although I’m sure there are more.)

  20. Such fun! Love Moderator R’s new look! Am reading the wonderful new book I bought in hardback so it will be mine forever. My Precious! Love the artwork and all the extras! Thank-You for these lovely gifts!

  21. Sushi is a great tour guide! 😂
    Thank you for all the artwork again! All the artists are so talented!

  24. So.. we get a point of view from Arvel… a point of view from Sushi, one from Clover…. very short Solentine one.

    Please please tell me that there will be a POV from Everard, Kaiden…. and EVERYONE else. PLEASE!!!

  25. I’ve purchased and read everything by these authors and just finished devouring Maggie…..of course, I loved it. Do you have any idea when we can expect the next book in the trilogy?

    • The first draft of Maggie 2 is nearly completed 🙂 – including “the most intense figh scene” House Andrews say they’ve ever written.

      An official date of release has not been decided as far as I know, however.

  27. Thanks for the cute stelka to human viewpoint. I love how Sushi gives Maggie the really good fish for her to eat. The artwork is wonderful!

    **Mumbles – the fishermen don’t know a really good varmint when they see one. Sheesh.** 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

  31. Mod R, thank you thank you thank you! A few posts ago I had expressed my concern about missing this precious art, so thank you so much for putting everything together.

    Is there any rhyme or reason behind which art Luisa does and Helena does? Both styles are so gorgeous, but different. Just curious! Will Helena do her version of Maggie? Will Luisa do her version of man from the garden?

  32. Mod R, you a the cutest, fluffiest, cleverest, and most adorable Stelka-moderator EVER! Rossanna of the shining red-gold fur and the slender deadly fangs–mandibles of death, I tell you! But cute!

  33. Having these altogether is very helpful for me. I have to admit that upon first reading of the book, I’ve struggled to keep track of who’s who.

    • Same! Good thing about reading on an e-reader is that you can Ctrl+F to see the context of where an obscure character reference originates. It’s very helpful for keeping track of the myriad plots, but Team HA pulled it all together masterfully!

  34. omg I’m tired and I thought it said “singing tour”. and now….. I have visions of a musical

    thanks for all the pretties!

  35. Sushi reminds me of my late ferret, Isabelle. She was so damn smart… and sneaky.

    Now I want a Stelka in the worst way!

  36. Mod-R thank you for putting all the lovely art in one place for us. You are the best.

    Is there any plans for art of Reynald to come?

  37. I like having the art work after I have finished reading the book. It is interesting to see if my mental image matches up.

  38. Thanks for the art roundup, it’s so pretty and Sushi’s commentary is adorable (ok, she is adorable period).
    I have a question and I am sorry if I missed it somewhere. Will the merch in the store be available in the EU when it opens or at a later date? I know there were some issues with taxes and such, but can we expect it at some point? I would really love me a mug or a bookmark…

    • I know that House Andrews are trying their best to make it happen, but I don’t have a specific date I can promise, I’m afraid.

      Right there with you from the U.K.!

      • Thank you for the answer Mod R! I will try to be p*tient until they get it sorted out 🙂

  41. Add stelka to the most loved menagerie of ferrets and ferret badgers!! And dobermans, morphing GSDs, and large cats, both terran and arcane!! 💖

  43. Why does Sushi have a Russian accent? 😆

    I love the description of Clover:
    “… all things move when she moves.”

    That’s because the household is smart.

  44. Mod R, this was fantastic! Loved the art and the description of the characters by Sushi the sly Strelka! ❤️

  45. I was a fluffy BDH member and w*ited (im)perfectly (im)patiently for my physical book, which I got today. Can’t w*it to devour it! I have been studiously ignoring the spoilers.

  46. What a fabulous treat! Am avoiding reading the comments, since I have only started reading the book and don’t want to be spoiled. Am loving it so far!

  48. All of this art is incredibly beautiful and communicative, but Luisa Preissler’s renderings of Maggie and Ever are are so realistic I more than half expect them to step off the page (erm, screen). They are truly masterful and the photorealism and realistic features allude to the premise of the book.

    Also, the Duke is dreamy.

    • Is anyone else getting an Aragorn vibe from the picture of the Sleepless Duke? Sigh. Started my second read while chalantly w*iting while husband continues his first read. He’s in Part 2, and there’s so much I want to talk to him about. Also, his guess about the fishes was much better than mine!

      Team Raggie! For the Horde!!

  50. Amazing art, arghh love it.
    I don’t know why I always thought of Ramond as shaved and hair black as the void. Funny how we picture the characters in our heads.

  51. Gorgeous art! And gorgeous people 😉 And I’m used to it by now, but true to type my brain has messed up again because it has decided one of the dark haired characters is a blond regardless of what the character was actually described as – but since there was only one that I really got wrong, and I didn’t mangle any names when writing to long term memory, that’s an above average score for me 😂😂

    (It’s a thing in my brain – regardless of how well and detailed the characters are described, I will get at least one character’s looks or name incorrectly stuck in my brain for ever and ever regardless of how much I am aware that isn’t as written 🤷 By now, I’ve just accepted this as something my brain just does… As long as I can tell everyone apart, I can live with it 😉)

  52. Oh raptures of joy and happy dances! SUSHI ART!!!
    Can’t wait for the merch! *chalant sighs 🙂
    HA is so good to us *swoons

  53. Sigh. I just received my beautiful Waterstones TKWNKL edition, the signed one. Totally love it!
    And then saw this post an thought I could buy Sanctuary as a signed book – but they don’t ship internationally. I feel slighted! Us poor international Horde members.

  54. Thank you, so much!! The art is beautiful and the story was amazing.
    Wishing you safety and happiness, from Canada.

  55. TYSM for the beautiful art all gathered together! I especially love the Sleepless Duke, I was having trouble picturing him due to Maggie puzzling over the discrepancy in her own head! I’m thinking that Maggie has green/hazel eyes, based on her portrait?

    Love the book, love the Audible, I’ve got my mom hooked…For the Horde! Must w@it p@tiently for the sequel, must not send sneaky ferrets and stelkas on mission to House Andrews….

  56. “She did not wake. I fixed it.” WELL What does that mean??? I’m going to reading a lot into that until book 2 comes out!!

    • Does the “undying” part come from stelka bites? Or specifically Sushe bites?

      (I’m off on a Team Facts Be Damned hunt with you. It’s Sushi”s fault, making that comment)

    • Right!?! But I had forgotten the alleyway bite, so it could b she was warning Maggie of approaching danger…

      But Sushi’s bite causing immortality? Since it sounds like there have generally been lots of humans bitten by stelkas, it can’t just b the general result. We need a history for Sushi. She did eat the bird-thing killed by the mage tower, so could that b related?

      • 😅 Ok, I’ve trolled you enough. I just meant Sushi woke Maggie up on the morning when they met, by biting her leg.

        Lovely BDH, always consider the source 🤣. You know I’m tricksy.

        • I also was wondering about the magically appearing fishes. Had all sorts of physics running thru my head related to portaling. Which (in my head) made sense since the fish kept appearing near Maggie. Although left the mystery of why fish? But, yes, the answer is Sushi. Which my hubby guessed when only 1-2 fish into the mystery.

          Obv I’m no longer wondering. And clearly need to pay more attn to who is posting what…Mod. R. Loved the post and will hope for more stelka-produced postings. Also, pls add to the question list: does Sushi have siblings/mate/kits? How long do stelkas usually live? (If they r immortal, u know what kind of BDH FactsBDamned speculation will b stirred up!)

          It should said: Mod. R is so good at Horde herding because she is our leader, insofar as we follow the leader. Which isn’t really very far.

  57. The duke is quite handsome, Solentine is still my favourite though. Knowing exactly where you stand with someone is a refreshing break. Luisa and Helena have done a stellar job with the art, I’ll need to piece the together for my desktop wallpaper.

    Mod R as always thanks, you’re a gem for putting and stirring up with us.

  58. Wow, these are amazing. I can’t wait to read it. Already downloaded and moved it up to next on my to read list. Can’t wait.

  60. I still have 14 hours of listening left to go. It did not take long after starting to be sucked in. The more I listen, the more I realized I will have to practice p*tience and give House of Andrew time to create and accept the schedule set by Trad Pub.

  62. I adore “This Kingdom will not Kill Me!” I savored every word and will read it over more slowly for those parts I may have missed as I raced through the first read. I couldn’t help myself. happens when I fall completely absorbed in a good book.

    I want you to know I also slipped into enchanted bliss reading the Beast Business. Thank you for keeping me engaged. I look forward to each new adventure.

  63. Mod R. Thank you for the art.
    Thank you for the story. As I enjoy the Holidsy weekend by rereading or is it rerereading the story, I hope that our authors and family have a good rest
    Happy Easter to all.

  66. Louisa and Helena, thank you SO MUCH !!! I have the audio, waiting to start it til I finish current book …. but, oh, you have my interest stoked with those fabulous renditions of handsome men and take-no-sh*t women … and Sushi, of course! Thank you so much, that really revs up my anticipation for This Kingdom. Thank you for giving the MC’s faces (and fur). Heart emoji here!

  70. I WILL GIVE YOU ALL MY MONEY NOW FOR A 2027 CALENDAR!

    *Ahem* Yes, lovely art. I quite like it!

    This book has all the things we love about HA, but they’ve really leveled up on the political intrigue! I’m loving it!!

  72. I’ve just finished my second read of TKWNKM. Even better the second time.

    Love the artwork. Mod R – thanks for the collection.

    Any thoughts by HA for an Innkeeper tea & talk with any of these characters?

  73. Northern CA loves House Andrews. We have excellent wine, happy cows… perhaps a welcoming stop for the book tour?

  74. Thursday night I was so mad at House Andrews as I stayed up late late multiples times this week to read and it’s my busy season. However what a great book. Well done! I am going to do a slow reread now as I couldn’t keep track of every name and place. It’s a new world that’s gorgeous but deadly with the monsters and magic etc. Thanks for all you do!

  75. this is fantastic. I agree with all of Sushi’s character overviews.

    I hope Hous Andrew’s wrists are surviving all that signing.

  76. I’m seeing the prototype for Sean, Arland, Rogan, Officer Morais, Curran, Jim, Nevada and Kate’s kindness in the book.
    I love being able to read House Andrews work and hope their journey continues to inspire other artists of all kind.

    Anybody know Dust Bunnies, I love animals in books 😁

  77. Am I the only one who get emotional when opening the book and see the dedication to the Book Devouring Horde ?
    Also, I just finished the book, and it is a masterpiece. The characters are wonderfully written. Everard, Solentine, Gort’s family, Kaiden, it’s like I’ve known them for years.

    • It’s not just u. Um, somewhere there’s a thread of comments about that. Maybe Mod. R knows to which post it was responding? It was really touching. (Hugs to HA, Mod. R, and all my fellow BDH ers).

  79. Wonderful art! For some reason, the Sun Margrave reminds me of Morgan Freeman (which is good). Thanks HA!

  80. I was wondering if there will be a short pronunciation list for names and places for TKWNK? I know in other series readers had thought character names ended up being different than what we thought. I just wanted to make sure I am saying them correctly in my head as I read the book.☺️

  81. I finished the book in 3 days (I’m a mom of 2 Littles so I HAD to sleep for 6 hrs plus make sure they have a good life – otherwise I’d have finally sooner😂) and now hunting the site for any/ all scraps of bonus scenes/ fun POV bonus stuff! I found Clover /Shana but aside from Sushi art intro, I don’t see anything else. Is there anything else so far? Table scraps please for a BDH proud member! 🙏

  82. Am 1/3 of the way through Maggie. Having a great time. Dumb question: Is there a picture of Reynald anywhere on the blog? Don’t see one, and really want to!

  84. This is such an incredible post. I had forgotten that we had Luisa’s Maggie art, which immediately answers the question “isn’t crazy how all these dudes are throwing themselves at Maggie?” with “nah, it checks out.”

  86. I’ve read every single thing written by IA. Most of it multiple times. This is your best work to date. Absolutely in love. Bravo! Halfway through the immediate re-read, which is the fastest turnaround I’ve ever done for a book. Usually wait a bit in between, but had to have it all over again right away! Thank you and happy book birthday!

  89. I had to read this again today. It makes me smile before going to work. Thank you!!!

    And Arvel tastes likes flowers! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

  90. I have read it 3 time already. so many characters to get to know, so many interactions that hint at character and interactions between them. I feel like I read a series!

  91. I want art prints to frame and hang on my walls! The vellum inserts tend to be smaller than I want. Is there any way that I could order 8×10 art prints of each of these? Including Sushi? I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

    • The artists will likely have art prints on their websites – we will link them as they become available 🙂

  92. Sorry but I am confused, the two volumes of the series are called The Thieves of the North and The Lords of the East. What is then The Rise of Kair Toren?
    I would be veery grateful for your answer.