We chat with author Kiera Azar about Thorn Season, which is Shadow and Bone meets The Selection in this first book in this sharp, sexy, and twisty debut YA romantasy trilogy!
Hi, Kiera! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Kiera Azar, the author of Thorn Season. I grew up singing, songwriting and acting, and studied biomedical science before pursuing my passion for storytelling!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve been creating stories in my mind for as long as I can remember; it always felt so natural to me! But I didn’t truly discover the joy that came with writing those stories down until I decided to transfer the idea of Thorn Season on to paper. Seeing this story come to life through the writing was such an incredible experience.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Sleepovers by Jacqueline Wilson
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Your debut novel, Thorn Season, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Dazzle. Danger. Power. Scheming. Yearning.
What can readers expect?
A glittering royal court filled with intrigue and treachery, a scheming (sometimes morally ambiguous) heroine, and a yearning, stolen-glance kind of romance.
Where did the inspiration for Thorn Season come from?
Thorn Season was inspired by a dream I had about a magic-Wielding young woman born into the family of Wielder Hunters. Knowing that this character’s life would be so ripe with conflict, I felt completely swept away by the concept, and I realised I needed to explore who this young woman would become.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
So many! I love writing tension in all its forms, so I particularly enjoyed writing the dangerous and/or romantic moments. There’s a nighttime balcony scene which perfectly incorporates everything I love to explore, because the forbidden attraction between our main characters begins to feel inherently dangerous.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I think the most challenging part of the process arose very early on in my writing journey. When you meet a roadblock in the draft, and you’re only writing for yourself, it can be difficult to decide whether or not the story is worth pursuing. I ended up taking a little break from the draft, and the distance made me realise how deeply I still loved this story, and how much I wanted it to exist outside of my own mind.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on the sequel of Thorn Season!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
My most recent reads were The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni and Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray, which were both brilliant! And I’m massively looking forward to picking up The Ordeals by Rachel Greenlaw.
