We are delighted to chat with #1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco about her new standalone romantic fantasy Throne of the Fallen, which is set in her fan-favourite Kingdom of the Wicked world, about a dark prince battling an impossible curse—and the artist who might be the only one who can set him free.
Hi, Kerri! Welcome back! How has the past two years been since we last spoke?
Hi Nathalie, thank you so much for having me again! Oh my gosh, things have been a whirlwind in the best of ways over the last two years. Always on deadline, but I can’t complain. I hope you’re well too!
Your latest novel, Throne of the Fallen, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Sinful. Secrets. Games. Spicy. Fun.
What can readers expect?
They can expect to finally see what motivates Prince Envy and learn more about his history, though no previous knowledge of him or the Kingdom world is necessary to dive in! I wanted these books to stand on their own, so readers who are new to the universe can jump in and not feel lost. It’s dark and wicked and full of high stakes and tension, both romantic and otherwise. I hope readers will be transported to this sinful world and get swept up in Envy’s tale for a few hours.
How did it feel to jump back into the Kingdom of the Wicked world, particularly from Envy’s perspective?
Envy has always been one of my favorite characters, so to have the opportunity to share his story and really delve into what makes him tick was a dream come true. This time around I was able to explore more of the universe and introduce readers to brand new locations, which was also really fun and is a wonderful way to keep things fresh and new for readers who have been there from the start and to also keep things rich and lush for readers who are just starting with Envy’s story first.
Your descriptions of the different sins kingdoms are *chefs kiss*! Who’s court would you swear loyalty to?
Thank you so much! Oh gosh…I would love Envy or Wrath because they are so deviously yummy, but I’d definitely end up in House Sloth because of his library and artifacts. Curling up and reading all day would be the BEST. Sloth has QUITE the following online, and I think his fans will be pretty excited about THRONE.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Envy for sure—I’ve been waiting what feels like ages to get to tell his story and to introduce the real prince to readers. But I also really loved getting to explore Miss Camilla Antonius’s character—she’s so fun and feisty and matches Envy in so many ways. Their dynamic was really, really fun to write. She definitely gives as good as she gets!
Your Pinterest boards for the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy gave me LIFE! Will you be sharing one for Throne of the Fallen, and if so, could we get a hint as to the aesthetic?
Yes! I’ll actually share that right before publication, so it will hopefully be public when this hits the internet J The aesthetic is forever gothic with royalty-core mixed in. I love atmosphere and a good, crisp fall setting, a sprawling manor house, a wicked kingdom, and a dark, sinful prince hellbent on achieving his goals at any cost are the vibes.
How do you connect with your characters as you write?
Before I sit down and start drafting, I usually come up with a pretty extensive list of characteristics for each character. It helps me to figure out who they are at their core, how they’d react to a situation, and make it feel as authentic to them as possible. At least that’s always the hope and goal! But definitely sitting down and coming up with at least 20 traits always helps me to connect with them.
What is your favorite way to celebrate finishing a book?
I usually buy myself a little something that reminds me of that book’s aesthetic. For the KINGDOM books I bought a serpent mirror for my office, for Envy, I celebrated with a vintage painting I’d been coveting on Etsy. (One of those digital prints you can have printed on a canvas.) I also bought peel and stick wallpaper for my office in a hunter green to signify House Envy for fun.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently drafting the next adult standalone in the THRONE series, following another dark prince on his quest for a happily ever after. It will be spicy, (hopefully!) fun, and filled with enemies to lovers tension…
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Oh gosh, of course! For YA I always recommend anything by Stephanie Garber and her Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy comes to a conclusion this month. Also out this month is Isabel Ibanez’s wonderful What the River Knows. Adult romance-wise, I love the Hidden Legacies trilogy by Ilona Andrews and think it’s perfect for a wide range of readers. Thea Guanzon’s Hurricane Wars is out now and I also read an early copy of Danielle Jenson’s newest book A Fate Inked in Blood and think it will make readers of fantasy romance very happy next Spring.
You can find Kerri on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and at her website.
