My fantasy themed month hasn’t quite gone according to plan due to work stresses which I’m really sad about. So I’m really sorry about that.
But, today I’m super excited and lucky to have the lovely Kesia Lupo, debut author of internationally highly anticaptated novel ‘We Are Blood and Thunder’ coming in April on the blog today. I’ve been very lucky to have been gifted a couple of this book, so I’m looking forward to delving into this world next month. I know it’s a long time to wait till April but to quench you thirst for this book or make you even more excited, here is a little bit more about ‘We Are Blood and Thunder‘. Enjoy.
In a sealed-off city, it begins with a hunt. A young woman, Lena, running for her life, convicted of being a mage and sentenced to death. Her only way to survive is to trust those she has been brought up to fear – those with magic.
On the other side of the locked gates is a masked lady, Constance, determined to find a way back in. She knows only too well how the people of Duke’s Forest loathe magic. Years ago she escaped before her powers were discovered. But now she won’t hide who she is any longer.
A powerful and terrifying storm cloud unites them. It descends over the dukedom and devastates much in its wake. But this is more than a thunderstorm. This is a spell, and the truth behind why it has been cast is more sinister than anyone can imagine … Only Lena and Constance hold the key to destroying the spell. Though neither of them realise it, they need each other. They are the blood and they have the thunder within
A stunning and original YA fantasy from a fantastic new talent. Perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie and Melinda Salisbury
Publishing – April 4th 2019
Pre-Order – Amazon | Book Depository
Q&A with Kesia
Can you tell us a bit about your debut novel We Are Blood and Thunder?
It’s a YA fantasy about a mountain city that’s swallowed by a magical storm cloud, and the two young women who together hold the key to figuring out why…
What has your journey been like to become a published writer?
It wasn’t until I finished university that I realised I wanted a career in books. I enrolled in a Creative Writing MA but the novel I wrote for it (which was adult historical fiction) didn’t gain representation. I had loved the editorial side of the MA and decided to pursue a career in publishing, while writing on the side. A year or so later, for Nanowrimo, I wrote the first chunk of what would finally be We Are Blood and Thunder. Five years later and loads of rewrites and rejections here I am! So, to sum up, it’s been fun but long and there has been lots of determination involved – but that’s the same for most writers.
What first inspired you to become a writer?
It’s always been reading that inspires me – and it still does.
Did you always know that you wanted to write fantasy books?
Yes – on some level I think I always did! It was what I loved to read throughout my childhood and teenage years and all my earliest (terrible) stories are fantastical.
What’s it like to have your book published amongst the greats of fantasy and have your book described liked Leigh Bardugo?
Honestly, it’s completely surreal. I can’t quite believe it! I only hope it lives up to the promise.
Who are your favourite authors?
This is a very difficult question to answer – there are so many brilliant authors out there! I’m a huge horror fan and have been enjoying it a lot this winter, particularly Shirley Jackson and Michelle Paver… Adam Nevill is wonderful, too. For fantasy, I especially love Brandon Sanderson and Robin Hobb – and I’ve never been able to get the wonderful Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell out of my head.
If you could give any advice to buddying writers, (including myself that is at the stage of whether I should write or not) what would it be?
Write what you love to write, don’t pay attention to trends and be persistent! The best practical advice I can offer is to write a little bit every day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes or a few hundred words. Building up a writing habit is totally priceless.
If you were in any fantasy world, what 3 items would you take? (I changed desert island for a fantasy world!)
Good question… I would take toothpaste, a dark cloak, and a huge multipack of sweets & chocolates. Potentailly useful for trading … or perhaps simply for snacking. (And that is why I will need the toothpaste, haha.)
Describe your book in three words?
Dark, fantasy, thriller!
Thank you so much Kesia!!! I’m so excited to read this, the cover alone and even the proof is beautiful.
About Kesia
By day, Kesia Lupo works as an editor for Chicken House, by night and the early hours of the morning she escapes into her very own fantasy world and writes. She studied history at Oxford University and creative writing at Bath Spa. Kesia lives in Bristol with her husband. We Are Blood and Thunder is her first novel.
Follow Kesia: Twitter @keslupo | Instagram @kesialupoauthor
We Are Blood and Thunder is out in April. So be sure to pre-order or pick your copy up when it comes out! My review will follow next month, so keep an eye out for it.
