Zachary Ryan Author Interview

I enjoyed the depth of character and unique arcs developed in this novel. What were some themes you wanted to capture in your characters?

I honestly think my major theme in all my novels is to be honest with yourself and with the world. People need to take off the mask and let people see the real you. I think that’s the hardest in high school, but you get older and realize that you’ll find a grand group of people to love you for who you are, and that’s the most beautiful thing in the world. It’s why I love Danielle and Calvins friendship. No matter what they do, they love each other.

High school is a highly stressful time and I think you capture that well. Did you bring any of your own experiences into this story?

Honestly, I had a great time in high school. People knew me, and I wasn’t really bullied. I think that I use more of my life now than back then. I used my past relationship with my ex for Aman and those conversations between Aman and Calvin were real.

This is book one in your High School Queens Trilogy. What can readers expect in book two, The Revenged Queen?

To be honest, Book one is my least favorite in the trilogy. I feel like the imaginary gloves come off in book two. It gets darker, sexier, and a whole lot bitchier. I dive more into everyone’s characters, and we get to see other people’s motives for some of the actions. Villains in the first novel soon become friends, I feel like. Book two is my favorite in the trilogy.

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They all thought they did a masterful job of keeping their secrets close to their chest. These stupid fools thought they were the high court of this kingdom, but they had no clue who was really pulling the strings. You might wonder to yourself, who would be that heartless to make them backstab their friends, expose other’s secrets, and lose their morals? You don’t need to know who I am, but you better remember my name, The Marked Queen.

Danielle, Andrew, Delilah, Aman, and Jasmine all are now faced with a mysterious villain whose one goal is to ruin each of their lives. They must protect their secrets at all cost, or they’ll be the next victim on Marked Day. They know what’s at stake, and they’ll stop at nothing to continue being: the rich spoiled girl, the normal teenager, the girl who isn’t banging the principal, the straight vlogger, and the girl who isn’t her dad’s punching bag. What happens when The Marked Queen changes up the game just in time for prom? Will each of our favorite puppets survive? Or are they willing to backstab each other just to keep up their personas? The only thing lost at this prom wasn’t going to be their virginity.

Sex, Lies, and High School Queens explores the major theme of self-acceptance. Can they learn to accept all their flaws or pray victim to The Marked Queen? Each chapter continues to fill your sweet tooth until the climactic moment at the prom where you get to have that final bite of the bitch cake you’ve been dying to consume.