Aurora: What was your inspiration behind your most recent novel?
Amanda: A River of Royal Blood was in part inspired by my favorite series, the Wheel of Time. In those books, there’s character named Tuon who is the daughter of an Empress. She is constantly dodging attempts on her life from her ambitious and murderous siblings. I began to think on what it would do to a person, knowing the family they grew up alongside would one day try to kill them. River is also very deeply influenced by my relationship with my brothers. I’ve always been very competitive with them, though of course fratricide was never on the table.
What character do you most relate to and why?
I related most to Eva in her struggle for self-acceptance; as well as Baccha’s habit of always having something snarky to say, often at the wrong time.
Why do you feel books with powerful and relatable characters are so popular and have such a voice right now?
I think especially in YA, our teen readers are in the midst of recognizing their own power and long to see characters that are just as empowered. We also live in a time where there’s lots of disappointment with our systems of power and it’s gratifying to read about characters breaking down oppression in a fantasy world.
Please describe the content of your latest book and what can readers expect from the read.
A River of Royal Blood follows 16 year old, Eva, a Princess in the Queendom of Myre. In Myre, Queens are chosen, not by birthright, but through a trial of combat—a fight to the death. And though everyone in Myre uses magick, Eva never learned to control hers. When an assassin attacks her months before the fight with her older sister is set to begin, she realizes the only way to survive is to embrace her wicked, violent magick. Eva turns to an ancient fey, Baccha, for lessons in blood and marrow magick. In A River of Royal Blood, you can expect lots of action, sword fights, magick lessons, and swoony romance.
What’s next for you in the book world?
I’m currently working on the sequel to A River of Royal Blood.
Who is your favorite writer right now and why?
My two favorite writers currently are Laini Taylor and Samantha Shannon. Both create such intricate worlds that feel both lived-in and a bit like a dreamscape. And their characters strike the perfect balance of strength and vulnerability.