We chat with author Olivia Wildenstein about House of Beating Wings, which is an epic romantasy novel full of deceit, betrayal, and false loves that could swallow a person whole, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Piper CJ.
Hi, Olivia! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m a working mom with the funnest job in the world. I live in a small city in Europe sandwiched between a gorgeous lake and majestic mountains. When I’m not writing or taxiing my children or traveling the world with my adventurous husband, you can either find me in the kitchen or at the gym, daydreaming of my current manuscript or a future one.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
It all started fifteen years ago with a book full of vampires, werewolves, and forbidden love. That book was Twilight. Like many readers and authors of my generation, the hunger for more romantasy stories combined with the ability to self-publish made me put fingers to keyboard and type a story of my own. I wrote and wrote, then, after summoning up a huge amount of courage, I hit publish. I didn’t have the faintest clue what I was doing, but I did it with unwavering enthusiasm. And I kept doing it—with unwavering enthusiasm.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Tuck Everlasting
- The one that made you want to become an author: Twilight
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Lord of the Flies
Your latest novel, House of Beating Wings, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Prophecy, quest, magical Venice, fated love, and winged shifters.
What can readers expect?
A wild adventure that won’t leave them indifferent.
Where did the inspiration for House of Beating Wings come from?
I wanted to write a big romantasy story that combined all the supernaturals, in a world inspired by my travels. Why Crows? Because they have fated mates like wolves and live in murders (packs) and are supremely intelligent beings.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Honestly, I loved writing all the moments and all the characters. I’ve learned that most passages I don’t enjoy writing usually end up getting deleted during my final readthrough.
Romantasy is all the rage right now! What are your thoughts on this shift, especially with many non-readers or “former” readers now picking up a new read?
Romance has been undervalued for far too long, so it’s incredibly exciting to see it attracting new readers. Especially in a field—fantasy—that was dominated by men for so long. What I love most about the mix of romance and magic is the wide range of experiences it offers—the allure of otherworldly settings, the intensity of epic love stories, the intrigue of supernatural mysteries, and the thrill of a paranormal adventure. There’s truly something for everyone.
What’s next for you?
The last installment in my Kingdom of Crows series: House of Burning Frost—a standalone romance featuring the next generation of Crows and Faeries. And then I’m taking off for a brand-new romantasy world inspired by Norse lore with wolf shifters and vampiric dragon-riders. Have I mentioned how much I love my job?
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
I read so many that I adored, but the one that stands out is Quicksilver by Callie Hart. It was spectacular—the sort of book that makes authors want to either quit writing or up their game.
I also adored Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli and A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette, and can’t wait for their sequels! Other amazing reads were Butcher & Blackbird, In Five Years, The Housemaid, Till Death, Bound by Gravity, and House of Bane and Blood.
