Interview With an Author: Angie Grigaliunas

Welcome Adventurers! Today I have a special treat for you. I have guest blogger and fellow author Angie Grigaliunas.

~Tell my adventurers the name of your book and about the world you created.

Hi again! I’m back with Quelling, the second book of my dystopian/fantasy series. It picks up right where Sowing leaves off and follows sisters Ariliah and Rabreah as they struggle to make sense of what’s going on in their city. A quick overview of the world and its central conflict:

There are humans and itzalin (a humanoid creature-race with a brutal reputation). It’s more or less a medieval-tech setting. They use swords/knives/bows and arrows/spears/etc., horsescarts for transportation, and they don’t have electricity or running water. But most people can read and write, there isn’t the whole hierarchy present in the medieval time period, and it’s definitely its own world.

The Hulcondans, a human military regime (think Nazi-ish), pretty much hold complete power and rule with a mostly-iron fist. Even speaking against them is treason, and treason is punishable by death (typically public execution because that’s fun…). Some people view the Huls as the good guys, the protectors – which is primarily how they view themselves and how they present themselves to those who dare question them. Others view them as the enemies and dedicate themselves to fighting against the oppression and corruption the Huls unleash. Itzalin are either kept as slaves or are scattered about the world. There are also half-breeds, but they aren’t around much; the Huls capture them whenever they find them. It’s not a pleasant place (but oh so fun to write!).

In Sowing, we meet Ariliah and Rabreah – sisters on opposite sides of a brewing rebellion in their city. Quelling continues their story as Rabreah moves deeper into the rebellion side of things and Ariliah struggles to hold onto her fragile trust for the soldiers she’s always believed in.

~What inspired you to write about this character?

Since I talked about Rabreah last interview, it’s Ariliah’s turn now! Ariliah has been the single constant in this story/series. I started the story years ago (2003) and back then, it was just about one girl, not two, and that girl was the first inkling of Ariliah. She’s changed quite a bit over the years, but in some ways, she’s remained the same. Her enduring strength, her kindness…her story of redemption… The story has changed in a hundred different ways, but Ariliah has always been there and hasn’t changed much in terms of who she is. She’s like the center of the story, the thing that everything else has built on.

~How long has this character been in your thoughts?

First thought in 2003, but the real story started forming in late 2008. So quite a while!

~What is the one trait you wished you shared with your main character?

Ariliah is so kind. She’s naïve, but she’s also so sweet. She believes the best in everyone and is so trusting…and I may or may not destroy that at some point (muhaha), but her heart is soft. She makes me think of the quote that goes like, “Having a soft heart in a cruel world is strength, not weakness.” That’s so fitting for Ariliah.

The Quelling is available for pre-order on Amazon.com