Magic has a way of rippling through our lives, sometimes (especially), through books. This week, I noticed some connections between the themes in my upcoming epic fantasy series, and a couple of transformative reads.
One of the books (One-Straw Revolution) discusses a permaculture approach to farming, focusing on how less can truly be more when we let nature take the lead. This philosophy resonates deeply with Magistra’s (one of my main characters) journey in Valley of Wonder and Blood, as she navigates her magical abilities. The haunting echoes of the Forgotten War more than a thousand years before the book starts cast a long shadow over her world, presenting a balancing act of risk and potential, much like coaxing fragile plants to grow.
Then, there’s a beautiful exploration of how nature nurtures not just our bodies but our spirits, too. As Magistra and Sabel both grapple with the painful legacies around them, they discover that healing isn’t solely about addressing their personal scars, but also about connecting and uniting with the landscapes they call home.
Every bond they forge reveals a deeper magic—one that may be able to repair the fractures left in the wake of greedy empires….
(Definite emphasis on – maybe)
Finally, this week I read an essay on peak oil and rare earth minerals………..
……So that reminded me of the dire consequences of overexploiting resources, of taking without giving back. I mean, this is probably a core theme in all my books? But definitely this idea threads it’s way through Valley of Wonder and Blood more directly than ever.
As clashing empires stretch their greedy fingers across the land, our heroes confront a reality where both their magical gifts and physical resources are dwindling. And yet, they rise to the challenges, doing what must be done to protect those they love.
I can’t wait for you to see how all of these ideas unfold in my upcoming epic fantasy series, The Numinous. Stay tuned.
