Eliza Hampstead – The Nephilim’s Fate

Today, award-winning author Eliza Hampstead is guesting. She’s talking about her latest release The Nephilim’s Fate, book one in the War of the Nephilim series, a fantasy romance. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Thank you so much for having me as a guest! I’m excited to share how The War of the Nephilim stands apart in its depiction of the battle between Heaven and Hell.

Many stories in literature explore the age-old battle between Heaven and Hell, angels and demons, good and evil. However, my series The War of the Nephilim offers a fresh take on this familiar conflict by embracing complexity and nuance, particularly through the characters and their connections to both sides. My approach to the celestial war goes beyond the traditional tropes and dives into the grey areas between these forces.

What makes my series different is the detailed research and thoughtful use of biblical lore as a foundation. I was deeply inspired by the stories of the Nephilim—beings fathered by angels and human women—as well as the lore surrounding angels and demons. Names like Marmaroth, Sabnock, and Beleth were drawn from real biblical and demonological sources, but instead of presenting them as straightforwardly good or evil, I sought to blur those lines. My angels are not purely virtuous, and my demons are not wholly wicked. This moral ambiguity allows for deeper, more complex characters and gives readers a new way of looking at these ancient beings.

One central element that sets my story apart is the character of the Nephilim, particularly Nate, the male lead in The Nephilim’s Fate. As a Nephilim, he is the offspring of a human woman and an angel. While angels in my series are revered as celestial beings, they are not immune to selfishness. Nate’s father abandoned him and his mother, leaving behind heartbreak and resentment. This isn’t just a plot device—it’s a major point of tension for Nate, as he confronts his father’s actions and wrestles with the pain of having been abandoned by a figure meant to embody divinity.

The demons in my series are equally complex. In books 1, 2, and 3, demonic forces invade Earth, attacking magical beings and humans alike. But in book 4, The Nephilim’s Fellowship, we delve deeper into their world. As our heroes journey through Hell, we meet demons with their own society, culture, and hierarchy. They’re not mindless monsters, nor are they evil for evil’s sake. Instead, their motivations are shaped by personal experiences, and some even show traits of compassion or loyalty. Their desire for war with Heaven isn’t an arbitrary act of destruction, but one driven by deep-seated personal reasons—reasons that tie into their lives and struggles. Without revealing too much, this personal motivation adds a layer of emotional resonance to the conflict.
One of the key distinctions in my approach to this battle is that there’s no clear-cut “good” or “bad” side. There are angels who cause harm and demons who display kindness. The true heart of the conflict lies in the personal and political struggles of these beings, rather than a simplistic battle for dominance. While the war between Heaven and Hell remains central, it serves as a backdrop for exploring the dynamics of family, betrayal, and redemption—on both a celestial and human level.

Ultimately, my series takes the familiar concept of a cosmic war and spins it with grounded, emotional stakes. The motivations of my characters are relatable, even if they happen to be angels, Nephilim, or demons. And while I stay true to much of the biblical lore, I’ve crafted a world where not everything is as black-and-white as it might seem—because in life, no one is purely good or evil, not even those from Heaven or Hell.

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Title: The Nephilim’s Fate
Series: War of the Nephilim
Author: Eliza Hampstead
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Length 305 pages
Release Date: August 16, 2022

She will find a way, even if it leads to a war between Heaven and Hell.

Blurb: In the heart of London, Alissia’s ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when she is attacked by bloodthirsty vampires. When Nate, the man she dreamed about for years, swoops in to save her, her reality shatters as she discovers a shocking truth: she’s a witch, and he’s a Nephilim. But their love is cursed, forbidden by ancient laws that threaten to tear their world apart.

As old rivalries resurface and dark secrets come to light, Alissia and Nate must confront their deepest fears and fight for their love, even if it means igniting a war between Heaven and Hell.

With unforgettable characters, steamy romance, and gripping plot twists, this captivating new fantasy series by award-winning author Eliza Hampstead delves into a world of angels and demons, forbidden love, and the inexorable power of fate.

If you crave the intensity of Shadowhunters with an added dose of spice, don’t miss out on this spellbinding series!

Goodreads | Amazon

My thoughts drifted from one topic to another. Eventually, a verger told the visitors that they would close in ten minutes and left. Everyone flowed out of the chapter house except me. Waiting until it was empty, I closed the door silently. I took off my leather jacket and my black t-shirt and placed them on one of the many seats built into the canopies. The air was chilling in the octagonal room. I walked to the middle of the room, spreading my dark wings open as wide as I could and looked up at the vast ceiling window made of beautiful stained glass. Pivoting eastwards, I closed my eyes, reverently expanding my arms. Suddenly, I was overcome by a wave of power that surged through me like a raging river, and with each passing second, it grew stronger and stronger. I felt the portal to Heaven on the east facade pulsing faintly. It was strongest in the morning when the sun’s rays guided the way from the huge east window upwards. It was calling for me, an intense energy that wanted me to ascend to my ancestors and hasten my destiny. Empowered by this realisation, a warmth filled me with a newfound fortitude. When I opened my eyes again, I discovered I had levitated fifteen feet into the air without so much as batting my wings! Just as the pull of the portal abated, I heard a soothing voice in my head promising ‘soon’. Confident of the future ahead, I returned to the ground.

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Award winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she’s not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she’s always planning her next adventure.

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