A Goodreads user
asked
Kendare Blake:
Why did you decide on doing Naturalist, Elemental, and Poisoner? What made you choose those powers? And what makes the Poisoners so powerful? I mean, compared to the powers of the other two, being a Poisoner sounds kind of "meh". I know that's three questions, but...XP
Kendare Blake
Three questions in one! This is going to make for a long answer. Why did I choose the gifts that I chose? When I'm constructing a story it never feels like actual construction. More like I stumble across the info that IS, and then it just is, because that's the way it is. Having said that, it probably had something to do with the fact that I always wanted to work with poison (fascinated by Mithridates and the tale of Elizabeth's poisoned dress) and I like animals, hence the naturalists' familiars.
As for what makes the poisoners so powerful, they're strong because they've won so many times. The gifts grow stronger under a ruling queen with the same gift. I love the poisoners. Natural immunity to cyanide and a knack for poison-craft and assassination is a blast to write about. Also, a queen is supposed to have a very strong gift, but does not always. So a strong poisoner against a weak naturalist who could only say, ripen your apple and sic a sparrow on you would have a very good chance :)
As for what makes the poisoners so powerful, they're strong because they've won so many times. The gifts grow stronger under a ruling queen with the same gift. I love the poisoners. Natural immunity to cyanide and a knack for poison-craft and assassination is a blast to write about. Also, a queen is supposed to have a very strong gift, but does not always. So a strong poisoner against a weak naturalist who could only say, ripen your apple and sic a sparrow on you would have a very good chance :)
More Answered Questions
Destiny Keith-Macias
asked
Kendare Blake:
Okay honestly when you wrote the character role for Kat, did you think of her as a misunderstood girl? Or where you actually trying to make her seem like a bad person? I have to ask because everytime I re-read the series I always love her the most. I think of her as a misunderstood girl.
Courtney Gendreau
asked
Kendare Blake:
I am about halfway through the Three Dark Crowns so maybe this will be answered later, however, curiosity has gotten the better of me, in part of the book, you reference that Arsinoe is named after a Queen who was killed by her sister. I was wondering if you were referencing the Arsinoe IV and Cleopatra VII?
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