R.A.’s review of The Iron Chest (Amereld #1) > Likes and Comments
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I'm so excited to read this book! It's coming up soon on my next read and I am slightly intimidated by the size, but I am definitely ready for it. Do you have a specific character you loved the most while creating it?
Arianna wrote: "I'm so excited to read this book! It's coming up soon on my next read and I am slightly intimidated by the size, but I am definitely ready for it. Do you have a specific character you loved the mos..."
Hello Arianna! Thank you so much for giving my book your time! I’m definitely a big book woman, but I think you’ll find the story flows well enough that the size doesn’t feel so big in reality.
And that is such a good question, thank you for reaching out with it!
My gut instinct upon first reading your question, is that El was my favorite character to create and live experiences through. I found her to be the most relatable character to myself, and I think that gives me more of a personal bias in my relationship with her as a character. I used to behave recklessly when I was hurting. I have reckless impulses when I’m overwhelmed or overstimulated, which happens a lot. So for those reasons, El comes to mind.
But! my MC, Jabrael, is definitely up there when I let myself consider for a while. I have to really stretch myself to come up with Jabrael’s thinking style, moods, and actions. She is smarter than I am, so I have to research things and create things for her to be smart about, which is extraordinarily fun for me to do. I love how strange her mind is, how different it is from my own in so many ways. And I love her grit. I can relate to how it feels to be told to ‘grin and bear it’ as the world falls down around you because of the actions of others. Her frequent bluntness with herself in opposition with how much she seeks to understand others. Everything about her is a creative challenge for me, weaving together things I can emotionally relate to with ones that only she feels, which is one of the things I love about writing in general, that exploration of another mind and personality. So Jabrael is pretty up there.
The twins, Quaen and Aeria. I loved writing these two, especially when they were around each other. They have a special bond, and it’s fun to explore.
Viridia. She is just the saddest character. She doesn’t come across it, because that is who she is, but she has a sorrow in her that has left her half-detached from the world. She is so broken, but in a way that’s taught her wisdom and sorrow.
Carilla. Though she is not in many scenes, she may have been the easiest character to write, and I loved her for it. As I’m writing this, I’m wondering what that says about me, considering Carilla is ‘not the shiniest glass on the shelf’, as Jabrael puts it.
Vaiz was also thoroughly enjoyable to write. He is thoughtful and charming in an authentic way that made the scenes with him a pleasure to create. He is warm, and safe.
And maybe Red… because he is such a clever, manipulative asshole. I admit, he is intriguing to get into the mindset of!
If you have any other questions, don’t be shy! And I’d love to hear which character(s) you felt the greatest connection to, as well as the ones you did not.
My deepest apologies for such a delayed reply to your comment. I've been rather busy this weekend and didn't have time to sit and think of an adequate reply back to your well-thought out one.
I still haven't read your book yet as I went to the library and instinctively grabbed way too many books for two weeks, but I have been flying through them quickly, so I'm getting closer to your book! It is constantly in my mind when I think about reading, so I am very eager to pick it up.
Based on your reply, I feel as though the characters will be very engaging with a large variety of personalities to meet, maybe some humor mixed in due to some of their descriptions here. I can say that your comment has left me more interested and I already feel a certain draw or connection to some of them.
As soon as I read it, I will definitely leave a review!
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Arianna
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Oct 06, 2025 02:33PM
I'm so excited to read this book! It's coming up soon on my next read and I am slightly intimidated by the size, but I am definitely ready for it. Do you have a specific character you loved the most while creating it?
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Arianna wrote: "I'm so excited to read this book! It's coming up soon on my next read and I am slightly intimidated by the size, but I am definitely ready for it. Do you have a specific character you loved the mos..."Hello Arianna! Thank you so much for giving my book your time! I’m definitely a big book woman, but I think you’ll find the story flows well enough that the size doesn’t feel so big in reality.
And that is such a good question, thank you for reaching out with it!
My gut instinct upon first reading your question, is that El was my favorite character to create and live experiences through. I found her to be the most relatable character to myself, and I think that gives me more of a personal bias in my relationship with her as a character. I used to behave recklessly when I was hurting. I have reckless impulses when I’m overwhelmed or overstimulated, which happens a lot. So for those reasons, El comes to mind.
But! my MC, Jabrael, is definitely up there when I let myself consider for a while. I have to really stretch myself to come up with Jabrael’s thinking style, moods, and actions. She is smarter than I am, so I have to research things and create things for her to be smart about, which is extraordinarily fun for me to do. I love how strange her mind is, how different it is from my own in so many ways. And I love her grit. I can relate to how it feels to be told to ‘grin and bear it’ as the world falls down around you because of the actions of others. Her frequent bluntness with herself in opposition with how much she seeks to understand others. Everything about her is a creative challenge for me, weaving together things I can emotionally relate to with ones that only she feels, which is one of the things I love about writing in general, that exploration of another mind and personality. So Jabrael is pretty up there.
The twins, Quaen and Aeria. I loved writing these two, especially when they were around each other. They have a special bond, and it’s fun to explore.
Viridia. She is just the saddest character. She doesn’t come across it, because that is who she is, but she has a sorrow in her that has left her half-detached from the world. She is so broken, but in a way that’s taught her wisdom and sorrow.
Carilla. Though she is not in many scenes, she may have been the easiest character to write, and I loved her for it. As I’m writing this, I’m wondering what that says about me, considering Carilla is ‘not the shiniest glass on the shelf’, as Jabrael puts it.
Vaiz was also thoroughly enjoyable to write. He is thoughtful and charming in an authentic way that made the scenes with him a pleasure to create. He is warm, and safe.
And maybe Red… because he is such a clever, manipulative asshole. I admit, he is intriguing to get into the mindset of!
If you have any other questions, don’t be shy! And I’d love to hear which character(s) you felt the greatest connection to, as well as the ones you did not.
My deepest apologies for such a delayed reply to your comment. I've been rather busy this weekend and didn't have time to sit and think of an adequate reply back to your well-thought out one. I still haven't read your book yet as I went to the library and instinctively grabbed way too many books for two weeks, but I have been flying through them quickly, so I'm getting closer to your book! It is constantly in my mind when I think about reading, so I am very eager to pick it up.
Based on your reply, I feel as though the characters will be very engaging with a large variety of personalities to meet, maybe some humor mixed in due to some of their descriptions here. I can say that your comment has left me more interested and I already feel a certain draw or connection to some of them.
As soon as I read it, I will definitely leave a review!
