We chat with author Gabriela Romero Lacruz about The River and the Star, which is the gripping conclusion to the Warring Gods duology where two women find themselves caught in an ancient feud between ruthless entities, and embark on an epic quest for power and liberation.
Hi, Gabriela! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hiiii! I’m a freelance illustrator by day and writer by night. I was born and raised in Venezuela, and moved to Houston in 2005, which is now my home. I love drawing and writing anything speculative. My illustrations tend to be romantic, cozy, and whimsical. As for my writing, for the past decade or so my focus has been to write about Venezuela, which helps me strengthen my ties to my culture.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I discovered my love for stories when I was just a tween. No one in my family read fiction, and I didn’t have any books at home or access to a library, but back then I had unmoderated access to the internet. I used to read so much fanfiction as a way to teach myself English. Eventually I mustered the courage to write my own stories. My love for reading and writing started with fanfiction!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- The one that made you want to become an author: Divergent
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: A Well-Timed Enchantment
The River and the Star is the sequel in your Warring Gods duology and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Sapphic South American epic fantasy!
For readers who haven’t picked up The Sun and the Void, what can they expect?
Two young women finding power and belonging in a dark and dangerous sword-and-sorcery world.
And for those who have, what’s to come in The River and the Star?
Readers can expect a tortuously slow slow-burn romance, scheming gods, so many character machinations, and more lush South American landscapes.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further?
The Sun and the Void has the dual POVs of Reina and Eva. But in The River and the Star I introduced a new POV: Maior, who is Reina’s love interest and romantic partner. Maior surprised me as I wrote her. She’s a complete opposite of who I am and how I view the world, so it was interesting to step into her shoes and write from her POV. Maior and Reina often have opposing views on religion, and this allowed me to create tension by the push and pull of their beliefs and how they react to the events in The River and the Star. Ultimately both characters are aligned in their morality, and their love overcomes the adversity in the book.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
The River and the Star was challenging to write because I wrote from five POVs in total. Every character had different goals and a different way of perceiving the world, and I had to take this into consideration when I was writing their chapters. Besides the POV characters, many other side characters also had hidden agendas and plots of their own, so it was challenging keeping track of what everyone was doing, how information was revealed, and how this impacted the way they treated other characters at different points in time. Nevertheless, I had a blast! Every time a plot “clicked” into place, it was like an adrenaline rush.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a romantic fantasy retelling of a pre-Columbian legend from the Andes of Venezuela. I hope my writing continues to bring attention to Venezuelan culture, and that it shines a light on stories and peoples often forgotten by the mainstream media. I can’t wait to share it with the world soon!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
The Girl with the Fierce Eyes by Sophia Vahdati is a fantastic YA dystopian about a world where magic and social structure are determined by the color of one’s eyes. It’s filled with fully-fleshed out characters grappling with a looming revolution, and has a sharp commentary on the social constructs that drive discrimination in society. Another book I think deserves more attention is Fractured Reveries, a brilliantly curated collection of eclectic speculative short fiction edited by Carina Bissett. It has stories with interesting POVs, sumptuous prose, and so much female rage. I highly recommend both!
Loved The Sun and The Void, will absolutely be picking up The River and the Star!