Victoria McCombs is the author of The Storyteller’s Series from and The Royal Rose Chronicles. She writes young adult fantasy and adores stories about treacherous pirates and traitorous princes. Her favorite things include peppermint hot chocolate, peanut butter ice cream, game nights with family, and Jesus. She has her mom to thank for allowing so many medieval weapons inside the house as she was growing up, which curated her love for that time period.
In this interview, Victoria shares some of her thoughts regarding her latest book, Silver Bounty.
FF: What inspired the story in your book?
I took the advice “write what you want to read” and ran with it. I took some spooky aspects of House of Salt and Sorrows, the pirate vibes from many beloved stories, and the idea of a broken cast all searching for answers and put them together! I’m really happy with how seamlessly it blended together, and love how deep we get into the characters in book two.
FF: What can you tell us about the main characters in your book?
Emme is desperate to find her place in the world, and while in book one, Oathbound, she leaned on those around her, we see her stand on her own in book two and figure out exactly what she wants and start to fight for herself. She ís a fun juxtaposition of bold, driven, and caring.
FF: Which character surprised you the most?
Emric surprised me the most. I thought I had him pegged in book one as a loud, fearless pirate with a tendency to laugh things off and lead with his sword. In book two his character is pushed, and to contrast the darkness around him he steps up as a light and grows as a person in ways that I didn’t think he would.
FF: Why do you think storytelling is such a powerful way to share truth?
Many of us long for stories. They are an escape, a comfort, and a lifeline. To be able to share the truth with others in a way that they understand storytelling, reaches them right where they are. It is like going to another country and telling them the gospel in their own language.
FF: What can you tell us about your next book?
There is a final book coming in this series where we see the final betrayals take place and everyone must decide for themselves where they want to stand in the war for the high seas. After that, I have a captivating duology coming about seven fae kings, glass hearts, eternal night, and messages hidden in paintings.
FF: What kind of research did you do for this book?
A lot about how a ship functions! What sort of tasks they would do, the hierarchy within a crew, and how a ship sails. I was surprised to find that a ship was run more like a democracy than movies led us to believe!
FF: What do you want readers to take away after reading your book?
I want them to have the reminder that their future is what they make of it, and to want to seize every day.
FF: What authors or books have inspired you as an author?
I’m very inspired by the fast-paced style and strong characters that Adrienne Young writes, as well as the magical, whimsical worlds of Stephanie Garber. Nadine Brandes is also an inspiration in how she tells stories in a way that leads you closer to our Creator.
FF: How has your faith or world view impacted the way you tell stories?
In the way that David’s excellence with his harp led him to the feet of Solomon, I want my books to lead me (or others) to conversations about the gospel. While I’ve not felt called to write books that specifically share the gospel through obvious analogies, I strive to create refreshing stories that satisfy young Christian readers and bring honor to God.
Silver Bounty
The Royal Rose Chronicles Series #2
Victoria McCombs
Enclave Escape
Genres: YA/Teen Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Release Date: January 10, 2023
ASIN: B0B48GJWM4
ISBN-13: 979-8886050264
Book Summary:
NEVER TRUST A PIRATE
Emme is tasked with getting rid of the king, but kings are not an easy target, and this one is bent on purging his lands of pirates. As Emme’s job becomes increasingly dangerous, she learns to survive the pirate way—cunning and merciless—while consoling herself with one fact: she’s just doing what it takes to get home.
But when Emme mistakenly takes out the wrong man, not even the protective pirate captain can save her from the consequences. In a string of betrayals, one thing is certain. You can never trust a pirate.
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