About the Book:
War has come to the kingdom of Valterre. Led by the self-proclaimed People’s Saint, a gathering faction plans to seize control of the kingdom and the lands beyond. Outwardly united against this common threat, Sera and the newly-Sainted Ransom find themselves divided by their diverging destinies.
The more Saints that Sera creates, the more her life force ebbs away. The people look to her as a leader and a symbol of peace, but is the cost too high? Meanwhile, Ransom’s powerful and terrifying shadow-magic threatens to pull him even deeper into darkness. Perhaps, to save Sera, his true destiny is to become the villain.
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About the Author:
Catherine Doyle lives in the West of Ireland. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Publishing. Her award-winning and internationally bestselling work, which includes middle grade and young adult fiction, has been published in 30 languages. She has also co-written the TWIN CROWNS series with her sister-in-law Katherine Webber.
Interview:
Pitch your book in 10 words!
An epically romantic conclusion that’s chock full of surprises!
Andreas gains new allies in this book with the help of the Urnican army and its airborne bird riders. What inspired the Stargrazers and the Strix?
While writing THE DRAGON AND THE DOVE, I was working simultaneously on a children’s book about mythical creatures. During my research, I discovered the strix of Ancient Greece – a giant mythical bird of ill omen. I thought it would be a cool jumping off place for an Urnican war beast. The Stargrazers are the soldiers who ride them into battle and are so named because of their proximity to the sky.
Seraphine is able to make saints with her power – but some of their new magics are surprising. How did you decide what powers to give each character?
With a lot of pondering! I wanted each power to be roughly in keeping with the character’s personality and/or ultimate destiny. I also wanted to make sure these gifts weren’t overly powerful or exclusively violent as the Saints of the New Age (much like the original Saints of Old) are not meant for war, but peace.
If Seraphine was to make you a saint, what powers would you want to have? What do you think you might get?
Ideally, I’d love the ability to fly or stop time but because those gifts are far too powerful for the world of Fantome, I would go for something a little less showy, like the ability to read and absorb stories really, really quickly, and never forget their plots!
Ransom creates some insane, mostly terrifying shadow creatures. Which was your favourite?
It’s gotta be the dragon!
As well as Seraphine and Ransom returning as primary narrators, this time they are joined by several others. How did you choose who among the crew would get POV chapters and when to include them?
I think over time the story naturally expanded beyond just Sera and Ransom. It really is an ensemble cast in book 3, so I wanted to make sure we were getting a proper glimpse into each of their heads. I have a soft spot for Val and Caruso, and their burgeoning romance, so it was important for me (and many readers!) to see that through, and of course, Theo has his own special role to play here, so he naturally demanded more narration this time around.
Throughout the series, assumptions have been made about Theo because of his ancestry- particularly by Ransom who has never liked him because of his closeness to Seraphine. In this book, the struggle between personal desire and legacy comes to the fore. Why did you want to explore this tension? Why did you choose to have this tension in a secondary character instead of a lead?
I think the theme of legacy versus personal desire is more overarching than it might first appear. In books 1 and 2, we see Sera grappling with her legacy as the daughter of Gaspard Du Fort – the depraved head of the Daggers – and ultimately trying to carve out her own destiny, separate and perhaps even in atonement for the deeds of her parents (including her mother).
Equally, Ransom, who was raised in violence, has to grapple with his role as the Head of the Daggers (and later the Saint of Nightmares), a position he fell into in order to survive the darkness of his own childhood, while in the end striving to become something better.
Theo faces the same ultimate struggle although, of course, his legacy is far more obvious as his ancestor is the most reviled man in the history of Valterre. Perhaps for this reason, he leans more towards atonement, not just to separate himself from Hugo Versini but to rewrite his family’s legacy in service of peace and light.
Ultimately though, and despite their bloodlines, all three characters are equally prepared to make their own sacrifices in service of a better world.
We leave the series with several characters in very different places than where they began (and not always on the same side!) Were there any characters whose path surprised you?
Nadia went a different direction in the end, and so did Caruso. I originally intended for him to be comic relief, but I found him so enjoyable to write – and so loved his chemistry with Val – that I just had to give him a greater role.
The book ends after the battle with a warning that all may not be perfect in the future the characters have fought so hard for. Why did you wish to end on this note?
The warning pertains to a different kingdom over the mountains… the hard-fought peace of Valterre will not so easily be squandered!
Please recommend a UKYA book you think readers will love.
REAP AND SOW* by Charlotte B Plumb – a dark and twisty romantasy that’s perfect for Autumn!
Thank you, Cat!
*Affiliate link
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