Mirrordom

Venom and Blaze takes place in a fantasy world called Mirrordom. The area is split into distinct regions based on geographical features – such as the Sealands, the Heatherlands and the Cavelands. I thought it would be fun to take a look at the real-life locations that inspired some of the settings in Venom and Blaze.

Mirrordom

It’s never explicitly stated in the books (and it never will be) but Mirrordom, in my head, is Scotland. The range of scenery in Scotland can be dramatically different even over a relatively small region. So I took inspiration from Scotland’s mountains, moorlands, coastal regions and islands to create the setting for my series.

Mirror Island

Mirror Island is a location that won’t be properly developed until the fourth book at the earliest. However, it’s a location that is frequently mentioned in all of the books. It’s the place where all the Mirror babies are banished to. Given the population of the Good, we can determine that Mirror Island must be quite sizeable.

Mirror Island, for me, is based on the Scottish Isle of Skye – large enough to house a generous population of Mirrors and with a varied terrain from beaches, rocky coastlines, mountain ranges, moorlands, bogs and forests.

The Castle

King Viper’s castle is one of the few places not inspired by something Scottish.

Mont Orgueil Castle or Gorey Castle on Jersey CI formed the basis for the Venom’s home. All of the book was written on the Isle of Jersey, so it made sense that some island inspiration crept into the book.

A small section in the novel describes Venom spending many a happy hour reading in the courtyard of the castle and this particular scene was based on an hour or so I spent in castle courtyard basking in the gorgeous sunshine surrounded by very cute lizards and reading on my Kindle.

Are the locations that inspired Venom and Blaze‘s setting similar to how you pictured them in your head? I’d love to hear how you imagined the places.

Venom and Blaze is available now.

Venom and Blaze has been out for over a week. I thought it would be fun to introduce you to the characters and tell you a little about the inspiration for each one. If you haven’t already read the book, this will give you a flavour for who everybody is.

The book is set in a fantasy world where every character is divided into either Good or Mirrors – with the Good being as wholesome as their name suggests and the Mirrors being their twin that is the opposite of good in every way. Where the Good are incapable of killing, lying and stealing, their Mirror is capable of all that and more. In this world, every Mirror is banished upon birth to Mirror Island, where they all live together.

Venom

One of the titular characters in the book is Princess Venom, who lives with her abusive father. When we start the book, Venom is anxious to please her father and, although she is rather lonely and sad, she very much tries to be one of the Good. When she is given an assignment from her father, she is forced to make a decision that ultimately affects the entire world around her.

The inspiration for Venom actually came in a backwards way. I had completed what went on to be the third book in the series, in which Venom is a grown up character. A throwaway remark in that book made me think “I need to explore this a little more and delve into Venom’s backstory.” Venom and Blaze was born!

Favourite quote from Venom: “You’re the worst father in the world. I’ve always wanted to tell you that.”

Blaze

Blaze is a Mirror who has had probably the most traumatic experiences of any of my characters. As part of a cruel experiment, King Viper decided to keep Blaze and four other Mirrors locked up in the dungeons to see if he could ‘tame’ them or turn them Good.

Like Venom, Blaze also makes an appearance in the third book. His initial inspiration was because I wanted a character to challenge Venom, almost as an antagonist for her.

Favourite quote from Blaze: “I was nothing more than a pawn in your twisted chess game.”

The spiders

This book is definitely not suitable if you have arachnophobia! Venom’s main friends are spiders – and she can actually communicate with them!

I particularly wanted to include spiders in the book as I have always felt really affectionate towards them and I really hope that by anthropomorphising them, it might encourage people to, instead of squishing them on sight, pop a glass over them, slide some paper over the hole and gently let them out into the garden.

Thorn

Thorn is a Lawkeeper, one of the law enforcers assigned by the reigning monarch to transfer babies to Mirror Island. Thorn is deliberately painted as quite an insipid character – but is there more to him than meets the eye?

Favourite quote from Thorn: “I had this all under control.” (Did you really, Thorn?)

King Viper

Every good story needs a good villain. King Viper fills that role splendidly. Venom’s father is a cruel and tyrannical ruler – even though he’s meant to be one of the Good. His one aim in life is to increase his power and social standing – and if that means using Venom as a pawn, that’s exactly what he’ll do.

As the villain, Viper definitely gets some of the best lines in the book, so it was a struggle to pick a favourite quote from him. Ultimately, this is the one that won out, simply because he delivers it with such conspicuous sarcasm and unsettling calm.

Favourite quote from Viper: “Do you have any idea how disconcerting it is to awaken from your slumber and find a corpse in your chamber?”

Queen Saffron

Hailing from the Sealands, Queen Saffron is one of the few characters in this book that manages to perfect the balance of being decent and self-serving. It’s a brief association with her that ultimately ends up shaping Venom’s character and causes her to make the choices she does.

The queen has such an air of calm serenity about her, as if she’s always in control. She is the only woman in the series that even King Viper shows a modicum of respect for. Perhaps future chronicles will explore her backstory – because there’s definitely a story to be told there.

Favourite quote from Saffron: “Saying you don’t have a choice is an act of weakness. Because there’s always a choice. Often, we’re just too afraid to make it so we make excuses instead.”

Fable

Fable may not get much of a starring role in this story – but watch out for her in the second book. Fable and Legend is out this autumn.

Like Venom and Blaze, Fable’s original appearance is in the upcoming third novel. However, in both the first and second books I wanted to explore her backstory. Fable is one of The Five, the group of Mirrors imprisoned in the dungeon by King Viper.

While she doesn’t immediately have the leadership skills of Blaze, she does possess a determined spirit.

I don’t have a favourite quote from Fable, but she does elbow Blaze hard in the ribs, which takes a certain amount of courage as Blaze is rather fierce!

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Have you ordered your copy of Venom and Blaze? If not, you can do so here. And, when you do, come back and tell me which character is your favourite!

Venom and Blaze is officially released today!

You can now buy both the print copy and the Kindle version online.

Venom and Blaze is a book that has quite a special place in my heart. As you may know if you follow my chaotic ramblings on the blog, it was originally written after what was meant to be the first book in The Mirrordom Legends. However, one throwaway line uttered by Venom in what is now the third book and I knew I had to tell her story.

I also wrote most of this book in a ten-day stay on the Channel Islands, one of my favourite places in the world.

What other people are saying

I had a lovely review from an ARC reader posted on my Goodreads and wanted to share it with you here. I really appreciated this review since it was obvious the reader understood exactly what I meant to convey.

The giveaway is now closed

I went live over on Instagram to reveal who won the giveaway and I posted the recipient their prize today. I plan to host other giveaways in future (Fable and Legend comes out this autumn, so stay tuned for that), so make sure to follow me on Instagram if you don’t already.

I’m now a published author!

I’ve wanted to be traditionally published since I was old enough to know what books are. To actually have that dream come true is something I don’t take for granted. I’m so grateful to my publisher for taking a risk on a brand-new, wannabe author. And for everyone who has been an ARC reader, bought the book, left a rating, written a review, liked a post, commented on my socials, read my blog and generally been supported: THANK YOU! This means more than you can imagine.

A huge thank you also goes out to my mother, who taught me how to read and write in the first place. Thanks, Mum.

What’s next?

Fable and Legend comes out in the autumn – which means going through the whole process outlined in my What’s Involved In Writing A Book series of blog posts. That includes editing, working with the designer on a cover, promoting and more. I’m very proud of Fable and Legend and I hope you love the characters in that book as much as I do.

Meanwhile… what are you waiting for? Go and check out Venom and Blaze!

I love it when people take the trouble to put a playlist together for me to listen to. So, my little present to you is a series of songs to listen to while you read Venom and Blaze. Every song has a link (in my head) to the story of one of the characters.

Venom

Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me? – Taylor Swift

Venom is a complex character who has the potential to choose between right and wrong. Her upbringing and situation has made her feel powerless in life and there’s a very clear moment in the story where she has to choose which way she wants to go and whether to to what she knows is right or embrace her darkness.

This song, by Taylor Swift, reminds me of Venom’s personality and the descent of compromising who she is in a desperate bid for survival.

Blaze

Thunder – Imagine Dragons

Blaze is a dreamer who doesn’t fit the mould. Irrespective of the jeering of his contemporaries, he has his own path to forge and he does so with relentless conviction.

This song, by Imagine Dragons, reminds me of Blaze’s fearlessness in the face of all odds.

Thorn

We Could Be So Good Together – The Doors

I can’t say too much about why this is Thorn’s song without giving away some key plot details. Sufficient to say, if you study the lyrics to this song by The Doors, it fits Thorn’s motivation and actions surprisingly well!

Viper

you should see me in a crown – Billie Eilish

Power is what drives Viper – and what better song to celebrate his unhinged actions than with a spot of Billie Eilish?

There are, of course, other characters in the book. Once you’ve read it, I’d love to hear what songs you think would suit their personalities.