CS Lewis – Write on the World

Morgan Reilly is the author of The Dark Library Series, a seven-book YA dark fantasy retelling of fairy tales.

In The Book of Water, the first book in The Dark Library series, mermaid Celine and human Owen form an unlikely alliance in the midst of a war between their peoples. But as they grow closer, they must navigate the treacherous waters of love and betrayal. In this dark fantasy retelling of The Little Mermaid, Celine and Owen will risk everything to seek their revenge-but their hearts may be the price they pay.

This story is described as, “The Little Mermaid + To Kill A Kingdom with Count of Monte Cristo vibes.”

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: I love this question! I grew up loving mysteries and fantasies, essentially cutting my teeth on Nancy Drew and books about magic. I also adored the Baby Sitters Club (the Scholastic Book Fair was my favorite time of year). That’s when I started to write my own stories, centering around characters and the events that shaped them. I’ve loved character-driven stories ever since I could read, so those are the types of stories I love to tell.

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Fantasy author Cerynn McCain returns to the themes of trauma and healing in all of her works. She says, “My characters break. Some don’t heal. Some harden. And some take a very long time, and deal with PTSD, and find their way. I work very hard to show that struggle and that victory as relatably as I can, because for myself personally, I didn’t find a lot of stories where I could heal along with them.”

In Inhibited, the first novel in McCain’s The Abandoned Crown Series, Alice’s life ended when she was captured. Being tortured for thirteen years left her small and afraid, but when the guard assigned to her torture helped her escape, she was given a brief glimpse of hope.

Until she forgot.

Now hiding in a city full of its own secrets, Alice must work hard to remember why she came here, and whether she herself is a trap.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: Oh, I always credit Tolkien and C.S. Lewis with my drive to tell stories today. I always loved how they wove their allegories so well into the stories that their books couldn’t stand without them, but so subtly that they could be missed if you weren’t looking for them. It always inspired me to do what I could to write my own tales and worlds as well.

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