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Shazzwick of Land, Vol 1: Time Becomes Relevant
Shazzwick of Land, Vol 1:
Time Becomes Relevant
Snow Quill Press Presents
The Unnamed Archives
By Ka-Yee Essoe (劉家宜)
Trade Paperback ~ eBook ~ Audiobook.
Shazzwick of Land, Vol 1: Time Becomes Relevant
Born with a coveted magic, Magnolia goes into hiding after her mother’s violent abduction. Shazzwick of Land promises to help find her. One with the land, Shazz is of a people so rare most believe they are but myth. He is Unnamed. And for the first time, he has something to lose.
War is spreading.
Magnolia alone has the magic to defeat the sorceress-warlord who shattered her family and corrupted the powerful Dayus of Land.
Can Shazz keep his mortal love alive as she confronts the warmongering sorceress?
Time Becomes Relevant is the first in an epic fantasy trilogy told through the lens of a love story, written in a hopeful tone and the soaring mood of Chinese immortal fantasy (xianxia). Set in a multicultural world, this is a tale of geopolitics, intrigue, complex familial dynamics, elemental versus death magic, found family and deep friendships that bridge cultures, races, and time.
Trilogy Status
- Trilogy Overall: Covers in draft. Narrator contracted.
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Vol. 1, Time Becomes Relevant (2026)
- Public release: Jun 2
- Kickstarter fulfillment: e-book 3/30, paperback 4/18, audiobook 4/30.
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Vol. 2, A Mage Stolen
- 98% completed.
- Developmental edit round 2: June 2026.
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Vol. 3, Mortality Beckons
- Post-developmental edit revisions at 40%, planned and outlined the rest.
- Developmental edit scheduled for Q3 of 2026.
Team
- Author: Ka-Yee Essoe (Page, Website)
- Developmental Editor, Muse, Mentor: Joshua Essoe, Editor
- Line/Copy Editor: Casey Beck
- Art Director, Publication Designer: Jessica Kao, Soft Humans
- Cover Artist: Merilliza Chan, Merilliza Art & Illustration
- Audiobook Narrator: Aaron Fors
Identifiers
- ISBN:
- Trade Paperback: 9798903120000
- E-book: 9798903120017
- Audiobook: 9798903120024
- LCCN: Vol 1, 2026904167; Vol 2, 2026904395; Vol 3, 2026904396
Videos About the Story
Book Description, Motivations, Discussions, etc
Public Release June 2, 2026
Claim your copy
If you have a code for the e-book or audiobook, enter the code here to download it.
Time Becomes Relevant remains available via Kickstarter‘s Pledge Manager until April 30, 2026 in e-book, audiobook, and trade paperback formats.
Pre-order
Pre available here and through selected retailers such as BookShop.org.
Sample the Novel
Join Ka-Yee’s Reader Circle to receive a 3-chapter sample of Time Becomes Relevant.
Here’s a sample of the audiobook:
Multi-Sensory Immersion
As our memories are multi-sensory, reading should also be a multi-sensory experience.
Audiobook
The audiobook is performed by Aaron Fors, an actor, accent coach, and author. See the “Sample the Book” section to hear a sample or to purchase the audiobook.
Music
Ka-Yee’s Writing Playlist
These tracks help put the author in the mindset of The Unnamed Archives. Each song is credited in the video, and we thank the artists for permitting us to use their work. The artwork was one of the author’s attempts at 2D digital art, tracing various elements and figuring out how to make brushes work.
Epigraph Reference
Butterfly Lovers Orchestral Performance:
Scents & Tea
Several teas and fragrances are meaningful to the characters and the author. We have curated these packages for readers, testing and sourcing authentic products from Asia.
Ka-Yee continues to test available products in the U.S.A. as she runs out of tea from back home. If she finds anything suitable, we will provide links here as well, should readers wish to acquire them from other retailers.
Sensory Immersion: Curated Package
Three Scents, in the order of appearance in Time Becomes Relevant
Three Teas, in the order of appearance in Time Becomes Relevant
Reading Companion
A copy of the PDF Companion can be downloaded via bookfunnel, using the code provided with your purchase.
Map, Art, and Prints
World Map (By JK Essoe)
Bookmarks & Stickers
When you purchase a physical book from Snow Quill Press, you will receive a bookmark and a sticker as a thank-you gift.
The bookmarks are 2.12″ wide and 7.38″ tall. The stickers are 2″ wide and 0.75″ tall.
Illustration by Merilliza Chan, Calligraphy by Jessica Kao, Asset Design by JK Essoe.
Glossary (spoilers!)
The Glossary with pronunciation guide is part of the PDF Companion, and an interactive web version can be found here.
Reviews
To Leave a Review:
Please help readers discover the story by leaving us a rating or review. It is one of the best ways you can support indie authors, especially newer ones! This list is continuously updated as the book becomes integrated into review systems.
- Amazon (available after public release)
- Fable
- Goodreads
- Library Thing
- Page Bound
- Story Graph
What Readers are Saying
“An Asian-inspired Robin Hobb with excellent character work.”
Josh, BookTuber @theReformReader
“A slow burn. The best fantasy book I’ve read in a long, long time.”
Josefine, BookTuber @FineReads
“Really enjoyed your blending of cultures. Cuisine made my mouth water more than once.”
Ellen Gravesmill
“There’s a heart to the writing, characters, and story that kept me invested.”
Leah Rose @leahrosereads