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Art Reveal: Lord Doran Arvel

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The tour of Kair Toren continues. Today we bring you a portrait of Doran Arvel, the head of the Arvel household and current Lord Commander of the Defender Order.

Ahem. Let us brace ourselves. This one is amazing. All of Helena’s work is amazing, but this one is really amazing.

Of all the Eight Families, the Arvels had the best reputation. Doran, in particular, was viewed as the kind of knight all others should aspire to be. Brave, honorable, a gifted general dedicated to his duty and devastating in battle. The main character to put all main characters to shame. The Golden Knight.

The gorgeous art is by Helena Elias. Click to enlarge. It’s worth it.

As we passed the keep’s staircase, a blond man in ornate white armor stepped
out of the doors at the top and began walking down the stairs as if he owned
the entire place. A beautiful blue cloak draped his shoulders. Another knight
followed him, keeping a respectful distance. Arvel. Had to be.

“Is that Lord Arvel?” I asked.

“Yes,” the knight said, his voice clipped. “Lord Arvel does not receive visitors
unless there are special circumstances.”

Perhaps he thought I would charge up those stairs to fangirl-rush Arvel.

“No worries, sir. I have no plans to ambush the Lord Commander.”

You can meet Lord Arvel and other interesting people in This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me. Fourteen days left.

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Comments

    • Eek! First!?! 🤯

      I’m wondering if he’s our leading man?

      So excited for it come out and can’t wait to read the whole thing! Thanks for sharing! 🤗

      • Too perfect to be leading man, someone else spends hours buffing that armor, the jawline clenched in arrogance or dissapointment with the mundane, a practiced furrowed brow…sigh, just TOO Perfect!!

  5. 14 DAYS LEFT!!!
    Long days, short years.

    I’m trying to remember when Maggie was first mentioned on the blog.

    It seems like both a few months ago and a few years ago.

    Can’t wait! for Maggie 1 and Maggie 2. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know the sequel is in process.

    Congratulations on making your dream come true.

    • I am having the same thought re when did we first have the mysterious snippet that would ultimately turn into Maggie? It seems like 3, maybe 4 years, ago? And now we are down to 14 days?!? Amazing!

      And so much beautifulness to accompany the amazingness!

      • I couldn’t find the snippet date but a search of the site revealed we were first told what Maggie would be, new world, portal fantasy, on October 19th, 2023. It has been a tortuous wait and the worst part is the day after I finish I will immediately want the next one. A ravenous Hoard is never satisfied. I really can’t wait. The couple chapter preview ended on such a cliffhanger!

  6. *makes grasping motions*

    soooooooooon soon I’ll have this precious in my hands … and in my ears…. soooooooooon

    so eager in planning all my other books around wrapping them up for the release

  9. I thought no man could wear armor like Lord Arland but I may have to rethink that. 14 days – I’m losing my chalantness. I want my book now!

    • Ack! I also find my chalant running crazy circles inside my brain trying to speed up time…

  10. I just got a jury summons for that week. I know what I’ll be doing in the jury waiting room! Of course now I feel a weird mix of anticipation and dread for the end of March.

    I’ll focus on the collective joy that will be experienced by the BDH at the end of March.

    And wow are the images absolutely scrumptious!

  11. When I saw the image of Lord Arvel, I thought “this is what Arland would be in Earth armor”.

    Not much longer for the precious. The countdown is on!

    **Humming “Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to meeeee. Happy birthday to me.”** My birthday is two days before the book comes out.

    • Happy birthday to you Patricia!
      I remembered that our birthdays are so close….mine is on the 31st! This is going to be an awesome birthday present for both of us (and for everyone else in the BDH, those celebrating birthdays and those who are not!) 😂

    • Happy birthday, Kat in NJ and Nancy! 🎂🎉

      Happy birthday to all BDH who have March and early April birthdays! Our birthday present is coming! 🎇📚🤸

  13. I couldn’t remember if I had pre-ordered so went to check. Kindle says I pre-ordered in May, 2025. Totally forgot.

    Can’t wait for the book.

  14. So much amazing art for this book!

    What’s it like seeing someone else’s visual interpretation of your words? I imagine it would be very cool but it must be a bit strange, especially if your mental image is very different.

  16. The art is lovely.

    Quick question for Mod R, although the release date for Maggie 1 is March 31st, when I looked – Amazon UK is currently listing the publication date as April 2nd: is that correct?

    Obviously I will be suitably, Englishly patient *grin* if this is so (*bravely sobs ‘it’s only two extra days’*), but I just wanted to check if this is something that is expected/already known about.

      • Early on the March 2nd, I will be starting a long haul flight from Australia.
        I better not start reading until I am on the plane, otherwise I may miss the boarding call!

        • I wonder how many others on your flight will b reading Kingdom? One does suspect Book-Goblin will b somewhere on a very long flight…

          Checking the calendar I realized we will b going away a few days after BookDay. Long drive, then my nephew demanding attention (which I don’t generally mind). We will b going a day early, which is my own fault! Maybe if I pack early, I’ll have time to finish the first read before we leave?

  17. Judging from the art, I can tell with complete certitude that women (and maybe men) did charge up those stairs to fangirl-rush Arvel.

  18. Brave, honorable, gifted, dedicated, etc etc – and now I’m suspicious of Lord Arvel.

    Eh, 2 weeks more …

  19. So, if you are in the US and you buy the ebook from US Amazon it usually becomes available in my kindle library at 9pm Pacific Time of the day before it officially releases. Will the Ilona Andrews store have the ebook available for sale then? I am not chalant and am searching for earliest possible time to throw my money towards House Andrews and start devouring. I am located in CA, USA.

    • This Kingdom Will Not Kill me will not be available for sale on the Ilona Andrews store, Steph 🙂 . It is a traditionally published book, released by Tor, not a self-pub that the authors can retail directly.

  20. Wow! Helena is indeed very talented! HA has found the most amazing artists for their books!
    These may be the slowest 2 weeks EVER!! 😄

  22. It’s funny picturing the awe and interest that must’ve been on Maggie’s face for him to say that to her.
    omg, most gorgeous art/portrait, wow, I too want to meet Lord Arvel 🥰.
    omg, only 14 days to go!

    • Because This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is an isekai, a portal fantasy, where the protagonist travels in the pages of her favourite series 🙂

  24. You were correct, Mod R. Enlarging the picture was definitely worth it. The armor is GORGEOUS! Helena is a very talented artist. I am in love! Thank you for the snippet too!! Such generosity!

    Also, just a funny thought. Every time I open the home page, one of the worst “w” words in the English language is brazenly displayed without censorship.

    The w*it is almost over!

    The first time I saw it I did a double take since we hardly ever see that word on this site with out an asterisk.

    Explained to my husband why is was such a big deal resulting in a very confused look. Hahaha

    • Loved the audio book snippet. The whole book is going to be amazing! Can’t wa*t!! Thanks for the link!

  27. Well, I can already hear the hoarde plotting for his book, even before the release. Assuming he isn’t ML for Maggie, of course. Although maybe he is? Can’t wait to read!

    Lol seriously that face will pull in some readers. Put that in the Amazon description!

  28. Soooooo pretty.

    While Maggie will show up on my ereader on release day, I will have to w@it * sob * to read it because of adult obligations. So annoying — but it’s the adulting that enables me to buy the precious, so there’s that.

    Unless of course, someone has figure out a way for the Horde to be free of obligations that day? I mean, the Horde is mighty. Surely Steve is working on this.

  30. 14 days to go came up much faster than I thought it would!!

    Sounds like from reading the comments I’m not the only one feeling that. 🙂

    The art is incredible… WOW.

    can’t wait to go get my order at the local book store!! I haven’t done an *actual* physical book since Emerald Blaze.

  32. Gorgeous Art! I really like the loose pages theme that she has in the background of her art.

    I’m guess based on the perfectly perfect perfection of this guy that he can’t be the leading man… What’s the catch? Gorgeous to look at but not the sharpest crayon? Beautiful hero by day, dark villain by night?

    I’m so excited to finally read this book at the end of the month. I might even take a sick day so I can stay at home with it instead of going to the office.

  33. 14 days, the days are crawling by lol.

    I usually wake up early and try to read most of the new book before I get to work….. read from 2am to 7:30 get to work by 8….. This will be impossible.

    Oh the joy, the anticipation, can I call in sick? It will be amazing!! Thank you House Andrews for the joy you bring to so many. A fabulous escape from life for a little bit. Then we can deal with bills, doctor appts,work, and family with a little more sanity. lol

    We love you and Mod R to pieces!!

  34. Beautiful! The artwork you’ve shared so far is just gorgeous, and I can hardly w*it for the 31st! This HA release is just going to be by far the best, and that’s really saying something! 🥰💕💕💕

  35. All I could think is that he gives Augustine a run for his money 😃 Maggie was more excited about meeting the assassin and soldier 😂 Glad I took off 3/31 to the amusement of my family.

  37. This wasn’t the first knight we met right? the one who was generous when she was new right?! Now I gotta go re read the sample…oh woe is me😂😂😂

    • I’m thinking he’s the guy she meets in the Garden (the one says they’re both pretending to be people other than who they are)

  38. Nope. Solentine is definitely more my catnip.

    Aaarrrggg! Now I‘m forming opinions about characters I haven‘t even read yet!

    Two more weeks … two more weeks … I hoped for this fantasy vibe from Puffles eons ago … I‘ve waited over two YEARS for Maggie … I preordered almost a year ago … I can make it two more weeks …

  43. Lord Arvel makes me think of a blonde Henry Cavil, the straight aquiline nose, high cheekbones and square jaw, he could be kind, but is he? I can’t wait to find out!

  44. The art ist gorgeous! And the Lord is as well. 🙂 Thank you for sharing this amazing piece with us.

  46. You’re killing us here! I am so excited to read Maggie! All the teasers are making me crazier than I already am!

  47. Ooh, baby, baby! I think I just had a heart attack!! I’m blinded from just one look! Someone, please, turn down the wattage from all that blonde haired, blue-eyed beauty & shining armor perfection!

    Awesome work, Helen Elias!!

  50. He is too pretty. I am already suspicious of such perfection. I might be transitioning to Team Facts B Damned.

    • Right? I have completely unfounded suspicion! Also, why are his eyebrows so dark? Having been teased relentlessly by a darker-haired cousin, who taunted that I didn’t HAVE eyebrows, when they were just very blonde, I have to wonder if he dyes his hair blond. But maybe that’s just an artist’s choice? It just seems wrong to me. Not having read a detailed description of Lord Arvel, idk. Wondering if I’m in danger of sliding from Team Chalant to Facts b Damned? But I can’t damn facts I don’t have yet… so idk! He is very pretty, and has shiny armor! (Slinks off to resume w*iting/distractions from w*iting.)

  52. Whew….. Thank you for the warning, Ilona. The artwork is AMAZING!
    So excited for the release!
    May we all find peace, health and safety in this moment.

  56. Ooohweee! All the gorgeous artwork! May there someday be art prints available (crossing fingers). At the moment, I’m practicing waiting for the book. Who knew that two year old me who “wants everything now!” is still alive and kicking around in this ancient body. Thank you so much for all the joy and anticipation, HA and Mod R. Y’all are the bomb!

  57. No doubt gorgeous. My imagination wanted to see a more “seasoned” man reflecting battles won, weathered by campaigns. I thought he’d look older.
    Nobody’s perfect, but this image is.

  58. Good grief! Is it ever likely to be possible to purchases actual paper pictures of this artist’s rendering of the characters? I have never collected fan photos in my (long) life, but I’d make an exception for these.

  60. The character art for this book has been phenomenal. Some of the best I have seen for ANY book.

  61. A couple of things…

    1. I don’t normally buy physical books anymore.
    2. The art for Maggie 1 is making me remember all the books I loved at a teenager.
    3. I will totally buy a physical art book for Maggie.
    4. You have to let us know where we can buy an art book for Maggie.

  62. If I was a teen, I’d be printing these out and they’d be up on my bedroom wall… counting the days

  64. Having read the ARC…y’all. They know what they’re doing releasing this image and they’re laughing at everyone.