Viviane Phillips
asked
Opal Reyne:
I'm so grateful that I found your books! Ever since I started listening to A Soul to Keep, this series has sunk its claws/talons/fangs into me! I just wanted to know who you had the most fun writing? I mean which character, both Mavka and their partners, was your favorite character to write about in scenes? My favorite Mavka to read about is currently Merikh and my favorite partner has been Mayumi.
Opal Reyne
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[This is a really difficult question to answer!
IT ALSO COMES WITH SERIES SPOILERS SO WARNING!
*****
I loved each book for different reasons.
ASTK felt like coming home. I loved Orpheus' stoic and sad boy energy, and I loved how Reia was a bratty woman who loves so hard she'll defend someone much bigger and scarier than herself.
ASTH was therapeutic. Delora follows a lot of my own past mental health issues, and it was so raw to write her on page and give true representation to it. I also loved writing Nameless, who was a himbo with the biggest heart.
ASTT was cheeky. I loved the playful banter from Faunus and Mayumi, but also how stern and cold-hearted Mayumi can be, as I can be a lot like that. It also made me cry writing it, and I love it when books make me cry.
ASTG was creatively fun. Writing about the Elves, their magic, and their world was a cool, and then Merikh's mean streak had me giggling. I loved Raewyn's character and how sunshine but take-no-one's-crap she was.
ASTR broke me in different ways and put me back together. I enjoyed how Emerie handled her trauma by using humour, while Ingram was just a naughty himbo that I'm glad makes people fan themselves. This is the peak of the series with the biggest climax, and all the emotions and planning the girls did really made me enjoy writing the book.
ASTS was challenging. I really loved how we learn more about the spirit of the void's world. I adore slow burns. The wandering gazes, the blushes, and my favourite: OMG, they finally held haaaaands. I also loved that Gideon got down on one knee. I thought it was cute.
ASTP may be close to being my favourite. I really love Nathair's character. He was funny, witty, cheeky, and came with double the trouble. His mind was also super naughty ;) . I really like reading serpent characters! I also enjoyed Linh and how she grew and evolved, and how Nathair was patient with her through her trauma, and how she was patient with learning *his* way to communicate. Also... the wedding!
ASTE was also very challenging. I always planned for Jabez to have a redemption arc with Zylah, but there were lots of challenges. Jabez was the only one who could wrap up the entire series with a nice pretty bow. I also really do love turning things on their head. For instance, we hate him because he's hurt our skull daddies, but when you flip the perspective to him, you can easily see how he came to be who he is, why he does what he does, and that not all his actions are as callous as they seem. We tend to sympathise with the person who is telling the story, which happens all too often in real life.
Zylah was probably the hardest character to write. I think I managed to make her sensual, but having a female monster be the main character came with its challenges.
Finally, the side story at the back of ASTE. Although it's from Jabez and Zylah's POV because it's in their book, I adored writing the family reunion and wish I could have extended it by switching POVs. We finally get everyone together, and there were a lot of hugs and fond words that needed to be shared.
As for the prequel featuring the Witch Owl and the spirit of the void that I'm currently writing... I'm having a lot of fun despite its challenges! It's an epic slow burn, that covers 2 books, so be prepared! (hide spoiler)]
IT ALSO COMES WITH SERIES SPOILERS SO WARNING!
*****
I loved each book for different reasons.
ASTK felt like coming home. I loved Orpheus' stoic and sad boy energy, and I loved how Reia was a bratty woman who loves so hard she'll defend someone much bigger and scarier than herself.
ASTH was therapeutic. Delora follows a lot of my own past mental health issues, and it was so raw to write her on page and give true representation to it. I also loved writing Nameless, who was a himbo with the biggest heart.
ASTT was cheeky. I loved the playful banter from Faunus and Mayumi, but also how stern and cold-hearted Mayumi can be, as I can be a lot like that. It also made me cry writing it, and I love it when books make me cry.
ASTG was creatively fun. Writing about the Elves, their magic, and their world was a cool, and then Merikh's mean streak had me giggling. I loved Raewyn's character and how sunshine but take-no-one's-crap she was.
ASTR broke me in different ways and put me back together. I enjoyed how Emerie handled her trauma by using humour, while Ingram was just a naughty himbo that I'm glad makes people fan themselves. This is the peak of the series with the biggest climax, and all the emotions and planning the girls did really made me enjoy writing the book.
ASTS was challenging. I really loved how we learn more about the spirit of the void's world. I adore slow burns. The wandering gazes, the blushes, and my favourite: OMG, they finally held haaaaands. I also loved that Gideon got down on one knee. I thought it was cute.
ASTP may be close to being my favourite. I really love Nathair's character. He was funny, witty, cheeky, and came with double the trouble. His mind was also super naughty ;) . I really like reading serpent characters! I also enjoyed Linh and how she grew and evolved, and how Nathair was patient with her through her trauma, and how she was patient with learning *his* way to communicate. Also... the wedding!
ASTE was also very challenging. I always planned for Jabez to have a redemption arc with Zylah, but there were lots of challenges. Jabez was the only one who could wrap up the entire series with a nice pretty bow. I also really do love turning things on their head. For instance, we hate him because he's hurt our skull daddies, but when you flip the perspective to him, you can easily see how he came to be who he is, why he does what he does, and that not all his actions are as callous as they seem. We tend to sympathise with the person who is telling the story, which happens all too often in real life.
Zylah was probably the hardest character to write. I think I managed to make her sensual, but having a female monster be the main character came with its challenges.
Finally, the side story at the back of ASTE. Although it's from Jabez and Zylah's POV because it's in their book, I adored writing the family reunion and wish I could have extended it by switching POVs. We finally get everyone together, and there were a lot of hugs and fond words that needed to be shared.
As for the prequel featuring the Witch Owl and the spirit of the void that I'm currently writing... I'm having a lot of fun despite its challenges! It's an epic slow burn, that covers 2 books, so be prepared! (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Reader
asked
Opal Reyne:
hi, i was curious on just how many installments the duskwalker series is going to have or are you just going with the flow? i love the series so much and i'm pleasantly surprised every time you release a new book for it they just keep getting better and better! oh and do you intend to ever write a book for the witch owl and her story?
✧Courtney✧ Arnold
asked
Opal Reyne:
Good morning! I absolutely love A soul to keep, I am almost done with it and often think about it at work. Question for you, can I skip around or should I read this series in order? I am more excited for some down the line and was wondering your thoughts on this. Thank you! :)
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