We chat with author Gabi Burton about To Steal a Throne, which is a YA fantasy novel perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter, and follows a girl who has always served others and decides to take power for herself.
Hi, Gabi! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke for the release of Drown Me With Dreams?
I’ve been good, thank you for asking! I’ve been hard at work on To Steal a Throne, and its sequel. Which is finished!
Your latest novel, To Steal a Throne, is out April 7th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Villainous Lady Whistledown steals power
What can readers expect?
Sooo much feminine rage. Mira is my angriest female character to date, and she does incredibly underhanded, borderline evil things to get what she wants. Also expect deadly trials, lots of blackmail, scheming, political intrigue, and a tension-filled slow burn rivals to lovers.
Where did the inspiration for To Steal a Throne come from?
This story came to me in pieces. First the main character, then the magic system, and finally, the politics. A few years ago, I got an idea to write about a girl who was close to power (like the daughter of a figurehead king), but had none of her own. Later, I was watching the show Lie to Me and started thinking about the power of a lie, and what it would look like to have lie-powered magic. Finally, I took a class called “Politics of Dictatorship.” I started thinking about what elements of society a person would have to manuever to manipulate a corrupt regime.
At first, these were all separate threads, but at some point, I realized each idea fit together into a larger story: a girl with lie-detecting magic who schemes in shadows, collects secrets, and pulls the strings of the men in charge who make her feel powerless.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
In general, I loved writing just about any scene where Mira is a scheming little evil-doer. She’s a professional pot-stirrer and I love that for her. Personally, I love other people’s drama, especially when it has nothing to do with me, so I loved writing about Mira sticking her nose in other people’s business to gather dirt and ruin lives.
Can you tell us a bit about your worldbuilding process?
Here’s the thing: I hate heat. I picked the setting (a mountainside kingdom where it’s winter 98% of the time) for purely pragmatic reasons. My first two books released in the dead of summer and I went to a bunch of book events in the scorching heat. So, I thought if I set this book in a wintry hellscape, my publisher would release it when it’s nice and cold.
In terms of the political worldbuilding, I like to start with a character and work backwards. So, once I knew Mira and her goals, I asked myself what makes her the way she is? What environment would have shaped her into being that way? As I ask myself those questions, I build up a world and a political system corrupt enough to create someone like Mira.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Action scenes! This book has deadly trials, and for me, it’s difficult to craft action scenes that strike the right balance of emotion and quick-pacing. To combat this, I like to block out my action scenes in bullet points first, just to describe the action each character takes in the very general terms. Then I use those bullets as jumping off points to transcribe my first draft, adding in more details and context as I speak. It gives me more to work with when I go back in and edit.
What’s next for you?
The sequel to To Steal a Throne! It has a title, but I can’t reveal it just yet.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
There are so many gems releasing this year. Here are a few that I’m hyped for!
Wicked Endeavors by Kamilah Cole, Heir of Prophecy by Analeigh Sbrana, Storm Breaker by Nisha Tuli, To Our Untamed Core by Sonido Reyes, Death Card by Jasmine Smith, Bound by Fury by Noelle Monet, Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow, and Funerals are For the Living by Sami Ellis.
