Guardians of Felina: The Lost Lair follows four young guardians who wind up protecting an underwater city from a hidden enemy, where they discover that courage, joy, and leadership can look different than they expect. What was the inspiration for this underwater world?

The underwater world of Felina began with a simple desire to create something visually exciting and fun to explore. I was inspired by the sheer creativity that underwater settings allow—bioluminescence, unusual ecosystems, and architecture shaped by water itself. From there, the world evolved naturally as I considered how people would live, adapt, and protect something so extraordinary.

How did you approach designing ecosystems and cultures that feel magical but lived-in, and what role does the natural environment play in shaping the story’s conflicts?

When designing Felina, I wanted the fantasy to feel woven into everyday life rather than separate from it. The ecosystems grew out of practical questions—how do these different cat people eat, travel, defend themselves, or celebrate in a world shaped by their surroundings? And how are they adapted to it themselves? The culture reflects that inter-dependence, with traditions and hierarchies influenced by the surrounding environment. Conflict primarily stems from the fact that each territory of Felina has different advantages and weaknesses. Underwater protection, versus mountain cave systems. Dense forests versus stretching desert planes.

What does the book suggest about chosen family?

The Felina series itself suggests that family isn’t defined by blood, but by trust, loyalty, and shared responsibility. The characters each come from different places and have different strengths. Alada and Tierra, for example, are goddess-like beings, while Birch is just a normal Meu. But in the hardest of times, they can come and support one another. They know they can depend on one another completely. Even the Guardians are human (or cat, I should say) on the inside.

What excites you most about continuing in this world, and what emotional arc do you most want to deepen in future installments?

In these first few books, I’ve focused on the power of trust, friendship, and learning to take responsibility for something larger than yourself. I’ve also explored humor as a protective mechanism, which I found really interesting to see evolve. As the series continues and the stakes rise, I’m excited to explore more difficult emotional terrain—questions of morality, regret, and the long-term cost of the choices each character makes.

One arc I’m especially interested in deepening is how immortality and leadership reshape a person over time. What does it mean to protect a world when doing so requires sacrifice, and how do you carry the weight of past decisions without losing your sense of joy or humanity?

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