Interview: Kiersten White + Illusions of Fate

Today I'm thrilled to have author Kiersten White stopping by the blog to answer a few questions about her newest release, Illusions of Fate. I've been counting the days until this book released ever since I stumbled upon the reveal for the gorgeous cover, so I was a very happy girl earlier in the month when it finally hit shelves. Yes to magic, romance, and enigmatic young lords named Finn. Welcome back to Supernatural Snark Kiersten!

If tomorrow you suddenly found yourself in a world like that of Albion’s nobility–where society is rigidly structured and the rules of etiquette are strictly adhered to–how well do you think you’d fare? Is there any one etiquette rule you would have particular trouble following?

Well, that depends on whether or not I am actually a noble. If I were a noble, I think I’d tend to be more like Eleanor, Jessamin’s newfound best friend. She works within the structures of her society, but does so cleverly and subversively. By staying in the prescribed boundaries and playacting her part well, she actually carves out a tremendous amount of freedom for herself. As far as the rule I’d have a hard time with, it would be that women are inherently lesser than men. I’ve never been able to handle people who think that very well.

Jessamin is new to the money, power and magic found in Albion. If she could borrow a magical ability found in any piece of YA fiction to help her navigate her new world, what book would she choose and which power would she want most?

I think she would focus less on trying to navigate or become a part of the power and magic of Albion, since she doesn’t see herself as lacking without them. But if she could, she’d borrow apparition from the Harry Potter series to visit her home island and bask in the sunlight whenever she was overwhelmed with the gray and the rain of Albion.

There’s something undeniably appealing about fictional men who have an air of mystery about them; we can’t help but want to dig through all their layers and see what they’re hiding. Who would you say is your all-time favorite enigmatic romantic hero or love interest?

Well, considering I describe Finn as Mister Darcy meets Howl, I’m going to have to go with Mister Darcy. There’s just something so satisfying about seeing him gradually drop his walls and embrace love!

We know from the beginning that Finn is keeping secrets, but what’s one small thing about Jessamin–a quirk or habit maybe–that she hopes Finn never finds out about?

Honestly, Jessamin is quite comfortable with herself. The only shame she carries is the way she manipulated her connections to get into a good school because her race prevented them from considering her actual merits—and she finds herself telling Finn as much in a favorite scene of mine!

Hating a good villain never fails to bring a smile to my face, so I’m very much looking forward to meeting Lord Downpike. If you could ask the author of a villain you absolutely love to hate one question about that character, what would be the first thing out of your mouth?

“Hey, Leigh Bardugo, can you give me The Darkling’s phone number?”

When reading, what are the top three traits you love the female protagonist to possess?

A strong sense of self (even/especially if it is challenged as the narrative progresses)

Intelligence (in any of its many, many forms)

Loyalty to those she loves

If Jessamin were to find out you penned her story, every struggle and every moment of joy, how tempted do you think she would be to ask you to go back and change something small?

This is something I’ve never been asked before! I don’t think she would ask for anything for herself, but she would certainly ask that her friend’s suffering be removed, and that a certain tragic event be edited out entirely. Coincidentally, the second request is the one I expect most readers to howl about, and my husband to never forgive me for. You’ll know it when it happens…and I apologize in advance.

Thanks so much for answering my questions Kiersten!

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ILLUSIONS OF FATE

“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

Kiersten White captured readers’ hearts with her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy and its effortless mix of magic and real-world teenage humor. She returns to that winning combination of wit, charm, and enchantment in Illusions of Fate, a sparkling and romantic new novel perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, The Madman’s Daughter, and Libba Bray.

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KIERSTEN WHITE

Kiersten White is the NYT bestselling author of the Paranormalcy trilogy and the Mind Games series, as well as several standalone novels. She has one tall husband and three small children and lives near the ocean, where her life is perfectly normal.

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