In Heart Scarab, the first time young Bennet (he’s only just 18) visits Joss’s apartment on the edge of the great park, opposite the marble dome of the Thebaid Institute where they met, he notices that Joss–who is very rich, don’t forget–has an astonishing glass sculpture in the centre of the room.

“This is amazing.” Bennet looked around the apartment’s main living space with bright, inquisitive eyes. “Brilliant.” He walked up to the glass sculpture dominating the huge main room. It changed shape and colour depending on the angle it was approached. It was one of Joss’s favourite pieces. He was on the verge of issuing a warning when Bennet reached out to touch it, but he remembered how sensitively those hands had touched Amthoth’s fragile mummy case two days ago. Besides, he could always commission another.

“It’s by a new artist, called Ailion,” Joss said. “She’s going to be very collectable someday.”

And later, in the Chains of Their Sins (coming 15 February!), Bennet’s father Caeden visits his son’s quarters:

Several ancient artefacts sat on the top shelves, carefully lit to show them off. A glass sculpture, a hard-edged geometric shape filled with light and astonishing colour, stood on the desk. So very Bennet. The room couldn’t belong to anyone else.

I always had a vague image in the back of my mind about what those sculptures should look like. And now I’ve found them. These are very beautiful items, and oh boy, do I wish I had Bennet’s cube on my desk to inspire me more.

Joss’s sculpture:

Bennet’s (smaller) sculpture:

Both these are made by a cold glass sculptor, Jack Storms. Here he is, talking about the processes he uses to create these beautiful objects. Like many of the great musicians–Bach, in particular–he’s also a mathematician at heart, a striver for an absolute perfection.

When you’re building a world – here, on another planet, in Scunthorpe or New York or Alpha Centauri – it’s the little telling details that make it come to life for you and your reader. This glorious artwork has just added a life-giving telling detail to Shield.

Sighing with satisfaction here. I do wish I owned one of these!

 

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Taking Shield 4: The Chains Of Their Sins will be published on 13 February 2017.

 

PREORDER LINKS :

Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ9QQYQ/