My name is Jake Stone and I have been a fan of Space Opera since the first time I saw Star Wars as a little kid. I am also a huge fan of superhero comic books, so I wanted to write a story that blended the two together like peanut butter and chocolate. 

 “Legend Of The Shade” is essentially a superhero origin story set in another galaxy. The main character, Zen, is fifth in line to the throne of a kingdom that rules over an entire galaxy. A galaxy that has been at peace for hundreds of years… until now. Suddenly, and mysteriously, they are under attack. Because they are so unaccustomed to conflict, no one really knows what to do, so Zen takes it upon himself to protect his family, friends, subjects, and of course, his crush, Violet. Meanwhile, he must uncover the mystery of this new threat and how to defeat them and restore peace to his galaxy. There are plenty of surprises along the way. 

 This is the first book I’ve ever written and I have loved every moment of it so far. I first came up with the story years ago, and I’ve been writing little pieces on post-its and doodling characters ever since. I have always thought it was interesting how, long ago, kings and rulers actually fought in battle for their people. That is why the hero of this story is a prince. When his galaxy is threatened and someone needs to step up and lead, he doesn’t hesitate. 

 I really hope you enjoy the first chapter of my book. I have a few more written, but it’s far from complete. I entered this contest to see if anyone likes what I have so far and to keep me motivated to stay on track and finish as soon as possible. If you like what you read, please let me know and pre-order a copy. The more pre-orders I get, the higher my chances of winning the contest! Thanks!