Post Mortem Book 2 and Announcement Book 3

Dear Readers,

And so the second book about Valentina and Vyxara comes to an end. In a sense, it was more challenging to write because two new settings (and, above all, social spheres) were added with Palewood and Dusktown, but that’s also exactly what made it so much fun. It gave me the opportunity to incorporate even more of the things I have in mind for the Valentinaverse.

The book was characterized by Valentina venturing further and further into morally grey territory and – of course, always with Vyxara’s alluring voice in her mind – of becoming increasingly pragmatic and ruthless, without losing her good core yet, however, though sometimes it takes more effort for her to find justifications.

Something I enjoyed most about this book was exploring power in its various facets. We see different forms of institutional power, through the Duke and through the Illumination, and what a difference it makes to have that power on your side or to be almost defenselessly at its mercy.

But we also see through Valentina’s eyes the complicated structure of social power at court, we see power imbalances and power dynamics in interpersonal and sexual relationships, and how all of this interacts with the knowledge and skills that Valentina accumulates, whether forbidden or otherwise.

And last but not least, we see how complicated all of this can be in personal relationships.

There was also a lot of new worldbuilding that finally found its place, whether it was the Scorched Lands or the first hints of the great demonic endgame.

The two scenes I enjoyed writing the most were the Faustus scene in Violet Delights and the big showdown fight between Gladder and the Illumination. I was glad to finally be able to write a little more action and also give a little peak into the true horror of the demonic threat.

In the post mortem for Book 1, I wrote that I sometimes find it difficult to see my characters suffer, but that overcoming adversity is, of course, at the heart of storytelling.

I’m afraid that, despite all the adversity she has experienced, I may have been a little too nice to Valentina in this book. Let’s see what that means for the next book.

The third book will again be divided into two parts. In the first half, we will experience Valentina and Vyxara’s adventures at the Parliament in the capital of the Kingdom of Sommerland, in Vandercourt. In the second half, Valentina will find herself in the crosshairs of the most dangerous enemy she has faced yet.

I still have many ideas for Valentina and Vyxara, and my passion for telling their story is still as hot as ever.

On Thursday, we’ll continue with the prologue to Book 3, which is titled A THREAD OF CORRUPTION.

I am deeply grateful to all of you! Thank you for reading!

Yours, Kleo