We chat with author Analeigh Sbrana about Heir of Prophecy, which is a slow-burning romantasy where dark academia, deadly fae, and seductive demons collide.
Hi, Analeigh! What was the inspiration behind having your main character, Audra, be at the center of two conflicting prophecies?
The idea of a dual prophecy stems from my ongoing exploration of autonomy, loss of agency, and our constant battle between morality and character versus external forces. I thought, what if I turned the “chosen” one trope on its head, what if I made our chosen one the heir to two prophecies–one where she must choose, be a savior or become the destroyer.
Propaganda is a big part of the world-building in the academy. The main characters are kidnapped and forced to adhere to grueling and indoctrinating classes under the Priestesses. Were any aspects of this inspired by real life?
Absolutely, the indoctrination and propaganda are inspired by real life. “Manifest Destiny” is at the core of American values, the false idea that anyone has a divine “right” to destroy and colonize. On a more personal level, I was raised on a military base, and I was surrounded by propaganda my entire childhood. Even outside of that, though, in regular schools, the education system is used to strip students of their culture and individuality and prepare them to assimilate with the masses. And overt propaganda is everywhere–especially as our current administration is particularly fond of it.
Why do you think it’s important, now more than ever, that folks are reading stories about feminine rage?
In our society, women are often taught to suppress or “soften” themselves for the comfort of others. Feminine rage has “no place” within a patriarchal society, and yet it is the patriarchal society that breeds this rage. I think many of us are angry; many of us have countless reasons to feel this rage. It’s important to see this fury as a source of power; it can be cathartic and healing. Seeing it validated can keep hope alive.
What’s next for this duology?
Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say…The journey continues as we delve deeper into the consequences of Audra’s actions in book one. Readers can expect the stakes to rise, new areas to explore, and the romance that ignited in Heir of Prophecy to become an inferno.
