Seven Faceless Saints

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You were at the Mercato.” Forte’s voice was bland as he echoed Damian’s statement. “Did you not make your rounds of the temples yesterday?” Writing is a form of art, and art is an expression of self, so those rejections can feel really personal. It’s okay to feel the way you feel. If possible, make sure you have a support system and remember that publication is a marathon, not a sprint! Take breaks and be kind to yourself. When it comes to building tension on a character level, I find it a lot easier to do when writing from both perspectives. Especially when the characters have a complicated past the way Roz and Damian do, there’s so much to play with. They have such different perspectives and focus on different elements of the mystery, so while it required a lot of trial and error, it’s definitely satisfying to weave everything together in the end. Through their very different perspectives, we see how Wes and Margaret directly influence each other’s character development. Wes teaches Margaret she doesn’t always have to be alone; in turn, she teaches him that he’s allowed to be vulnerable. Knowing them both on such an intimate level is crucial to appreciating the depth of their connection. Both are outsiders in their society, and are full to the brim of fears and desires. It takes them some time to be honest with one another, and only then can they change their circumstances (and kiss). I loved how the world-building climbs throughout the novel with incredibly vivid and immersive imagery and a mastery of sharp, cutting prose that transported me straight to the magical world of Ombrazia. What influenced your choice of Guilds of Florence as the setting for Ombrazia? What were your key takeaways as you created this intricate, layered ambience with lush visualisation?

I enjoyed this book, especially since it was fantasy twisted with a murder mystery. And even better, I didn’t see the twist at the end coming!”

New in Series

M.K. Lobb:“Seven Faceless Saints” is a book I wrote solely for myself, at least in the beginning. I knew I wanted to write a murder mystery, and that the story was going to contain all the things I enjoy about young adult fantasy. After failing to secure a literary agent with each of my previous novels, I decided I need to make writing fun for myself once more. It only took me about three months to draft the book, but because I’m not much of a plotter, it required a lot of revisions afterwards. I unravel my plot and get to know my characters as I write, rather than planning it all in-depth ahead of time.

Anyone looking for a sizzling slow burn should know that romance is never the focus of the main plot, though there is plenty of romantic tension rippling below the surface. Fans of the dystopian genre will welcome this breath of fresh air, as will those looking for a new high fantasy to add to their TBR.reddorakeen on Beyond The Exorcist: Five Movies That Explore Possession From Non-Christian Perspectives 4 hours ago Damian leaned away from Leonzio’s body, repressing a shiver. The disciple’s bedroom was cold, and dim candlelight cast shadows on the gilded walls. Perhaps it was merely situational, but there was something oppressive about the darkness nipping at the edges of that orange glow. Something unnerving about the way Leonzio’s face was turned so as to reflect in the mirror across the room. Rossana Lacertosa doesn’t believe in saints. After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazia military, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system. Even if she has to pay for it in blood—or face the boy who broke her heart. This question is the foundation of Seven Faceless Saints , the new YA dark fantasy mystery from M.K. Lobb.

So it would seem.” An edge slipped into Damian’s voice. Enzo hadn’t yet spent any time up north, and had likely never seen a dead man. At his age, it was strange he hadn’t been drafted yet, but it was only a matter of time. Everyone able-bodied and unfavored found themselves there eventually.Enzo relaxed at once, dragging a hand through the inky sheen of his hair. He’d been at the Palazzo less than a month, but he and Damian had become fast friends. “ Merda,” he said, attention still fixed on the bed. “He’s really dead, isn’t he?” Giada swallowed a dry sob as she caught sight of Leonzio’s body. She was older than Damian—probably in her mid twenties—but was a slip of a thing, with dark hair and a darker gaze. “It’s true, then. He’s really dead.” She touched her eyelids, then her heart, in the sign of the patron saints. A thin serving boy about Damian’s age appeared in the door- way, clad in the slate-gray uniform of Palazzo staff. He’d been standing outside the room when Damian arrived, and clearly hadn’t moved. His grimace was animated as he took in the sight of Leonzio’s sheet-covered body. “Signore?”

Now, though, she’s expected to become part of this institution by virtue of something she can’t control. It feels like a horrible betrayal to her father’s memory, and it’s at odds with everything she believes in. She’s going to have to come to terms with that and start confronting her self-loathing. Can the magic she detests be used, if she’s only willing to try? Lobb: I think Roz’s main issue is that she was already on the path to radicalization, and being forced to join what’s essentially the ruling class made everything so much worse. She’s seen how people without magic are treated, because she was one of them for most of her life. She knows what happened to her father, and how those like him are seen as disposable. Seven Faceless Saints combines the best aspects of true crime, high fantasy, and YA dystopian novels into one fast-paced story worth re-reading. The worldbuilding climbs throughout the novel as the reader follows Roz, Damian, and the variety of secondary characters they interact with. The split-perspective POV adds layers of depth to each of the characters without complicating the narrative. In terms of readership, I always knew I wanted “Seven Faceless Saints” to be for older teens drawn to YA fantasy because of the elements typically associated with the genre: an interesting magic system, a strong romance subplot, and characters learning who they truly want to be. Kate Brighton’s father committed treason, and she still carries the weight of his crime. She’s trying to start over when she accidentally saves the life of Corwin Tomane—the king’s son and the boy she once loved. As the two reunite to try and solve a mystery involving dragons and court intrigue, they struggle to rebuild their friendship, then their romance. For me, having both Kate and Corwin’s perspectives is key to understanding how their complicated history informs their present interactions.They perceive the events that led to the end of their friendship very differently, and they have wildly different biases. The reader isn’t simply told about these conflicting feelings—they get to see it from both sides. Can you say drama?In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.