Renée Ahdieh is back with The Damned, the latest installment in her seductive and supernatural series. We recently got the chance to ask Renée about her writing processes, what supernatural creatures she loves, and how she’d spend an evening at Jacques’!
Thank you so much for taking the time for these questions! First, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your newest book, The Damned?
Thank you so much for reaching out! I’m a writer of young adult books centered on historical fantasy. I have a few series out—The Wrath and the Dawn series and the Flame in the Mist series—but my newest books take place in 1872 New Orleans. In The Beautiful and its sequel The Damned, I’ve had such a wonderful time exploring the myths and legends of the occult: witches, vampires, werewolves, and fae.
What kind of research went into recreating the New Orleans of 1872 for this novel?
I am a big history buff, so I spent a lot of time reading about not only New Orleans in 1872, but the world around it, which has such a strong influence on the way people thought and dressed and acted. For me though, the best part of my research was the chance to go to New Orleans and fully immerse myself in its magic and mystery. New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I’ve had the privilege of traveling there a dozen times over the years. The food, its people, its music, and its joie de vivre stay with me for a long time.
What does an average day of writing look like for you?
It’s changed somewhat in the last few months because I had a baby in March. Now I spend most mornings with him, but I have the afternoon to work. It’s really taught me to be efficient!
Who are some of your favorite supernatural creatures from books, movies, and TV series?
Definitely the vampire Lestat. I also loved Maharet from The Queen of the Damned. Sookie Stackhouse and Eric Northman from True Blood are definitely memorable, as is Damon Salvatore. I fell in love with Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince, as well!
If you could be one of the supernatural creatures in the world of The Damned, which would you be and why?
Definitely a vampire, and I’d love to be part of La Cour des Lions. I’d like to think I would fit right into a lush world above a fancy restaurant in New Orleans!
Who are some of your writing influences?
Anne Rice, definitely. I’m a big fan of historical romance, so I would be remiss not to mention Sarah MacLean and Julia Quinn. I’ve also fallen in love with many of the books my fellow YA authors have written, among them Sabaa Tahir, Roshani Chokshi, Marie Lu, Holly Black, and I recently read Tochi Onyebuchi’s Riot Baby and couldn’t put it down!
How do you keep focused and open to being creative in difficult times like the world is currently facing?
I think it’s all about channeling my energy into my work, even the negative energy. When I was drafting The Beautiful, the confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh were happening, and I remember being so enraged at the world, and especially at our patriarchal society. I put a lot of that rage into the book, and I found it to be cathartic.
If you could have a meal at Jacques’, what would you order and who would you be dining with?
I would bring my two besties, Elaine and Sabaa, because Elaine loves New Orleans like I do and Sabaa has never been. We would order the entire menu, of course! But there would be beignets. Lots and lots of beignets.
Can you tell us what you are working on next? *crosses fingers for any tiny morsel of The Beautiful #3 information*
I am working on something that has to remain secret for now, but I can say that you haven’t seen the last of this world and all these characters that have taken over my imagination so fully!
I just finished reading the damned and I’m left in limbo once again the book ends leaving questions unanswered!! I love the beautiful and the damned but both books end in heart break and questions. Please write a third and a forth but please don’t end your stories without an actual ending your readers can be content with. And be fair, tell us if your working on another and when to expect it. Twice I have read a great story with a huge lead in, great character building but left with no closure.
I have read The Beautiful and I loved it so much. I am reading The Damaged now and I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying it as well. I love the time period, the descriptions of the clothing, the setting, the food the architecture, the city of New Orleans, the supernatural elements, the mystery, the love story, the friendships, the unexpected twists and turns, Celine’s strength and loyalty, Pippa’s fierce protectiveness and faith in her best friend and sexy Bastien‘S character-growth as well as the lines of French thrown into the mix. I love this world so much and can’t wait to read a book 3 and a book 4. Waiting for word of the next instalment and confirmation that this beautiful intriguing story will continue.
100% yesss! 😍 I love New Orleans so much too!