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The Wondrous and the Terrifying
In The Gatekeeper of Pericael, a 12-year-old boy races to protect the gate that keeps his people safe from the soul thief threatening his people. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The Gatekeeper of Pericael started as an action-packed adventure without romance for my young sons. While I’ve always liked the idea of magical worlds, I always thought that if there were real kids that grew up in (or beside) a magical world, there would be some who would take it for granted, or even fear it. So, I really wanted to explore how a preteen who sees his magic practice as a chore and has legitimate, valid fears of a dangerous magical world he was expected to protect. At its core, The Gatekeeper of Pericael is about a boy learning to accept the world around him—both the wondrous and the terrifying. It’s about a boy accepting his responsibilities and learning how to move forward in spite of his fear—themes I hoped to impart to my own kids and other readers.
I found the edge-of-your-seat adventure in your novel to be quite appealing. What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I’ve always loved monsters and intense action since I was young, so this was a super fun book to write for me. I think my favorite scene to write was the cave sequence in which Porter and his friends are trying to lead the village away from the Terzi. Between their realization of what the Terzi are, the stakes of so many people depending on them, and Porter really coming into his own—it was awesome to go through that emotional roller coaster with the characters.
Were you able to relate to your characters while writing them?
Absolutely! I think every one of my characters carries a piece of me. Like Porter, I started out as a fearful kid that had to make the conscious choice to be brave. But then, I’ve also had times in life where I’ve felt very much like Fira—frustrated by the limitations of her village’s system and with a steely passion to succeed in spite of it. As I grew older and had to be responsible for others younger than myself, I developed more patience and dependability like Conri. And of course, I feel like it’s the most fun to be like Ames, silly and irrepressibly optimistic.
I find a problem in well-written stories in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed it! I’d always envisioned The Gatekeeper of Pericael as a trilogy–the characters growing a year or two older with each book—and I definitely had big plans for Fira, Porter, and Ames. Unfortunately, I’ve found upper-MG/lower-YA creepy fantasy hard to market, so I moved forward with other projects instead. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I find my way back to Pericael one day to continue the series. It definitely calls to me!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website | Amazon
In Pericael, no one goes out after dark…
Twelve-year-old Porter would much rather spend his weekends playing soccer than channeling spirits in the parallel universe of Pericael. Unfortunately for him, Porter’s family has guarded the gate between Earth and monster-filled Pericael for generations, so he’s not getting out of Gatekeeper lessons anytime soon.
But, some after-school activities are more dangerous than others.
When a soul thief threatens the gate, Porter reluctantly comes to its defense… and gets thrown deep into Pericael’s dangerous jungle wilderness. With the help of two fierce native girls, Porter must learn to embrace the creepy spirits and find his way back to the gate. But the soul thief is racing for the gate too, and if he gets there first, Porter won’t have a home to go back to.
The Gatekeeper of Pericael
In The Gatekeeper of Pericael, Hayley Reese Chow introduces us to Porter, a 12-year-old grappling with the dual complexities of adolescence and his predestined role as the Kotalla Kan. This title positions him as the guardian of a portal linking the human world to Pericael, a mystical parallel universe. Porter’s journey, initially marked by his reluctance to embrace his magical heritage in favor of ordinary teenage experiences, evolves dramatically as he faces an impending threat to Pericael.
Chow’s middle-grade fantasy novel is characterized by its engaging narrative and well-constructed world. The protagonist, Porter, embodies the archetype of a reluctant hero, whose yearning for a typical life is at odds with the extraordinary responsibilities of his destiny. This conflict enriches his narrative, adding layers to his personal growth and self-discovery. The fantastical elements, such as the enigmatic ranja and the spirits of Pericael, are woven seamlessly into the story, enhancing the novel’s imaginative quality. Chow’s vivid depictions of this otherworldly realm, complete with its unique landscapes and creatures, offer readers an immersive experience. The book also excels in character development. Porter’s evolution from a hesitant figure to a decisive hero is skillfully portrayed. The supporting cast, including Porter’s cousin Ames, contributes significantly to the narrative. Their interactions and relationships bring a sense of warmth and camaraderie to the story, balancing the thrilling, action-packed sequences with moments of character introspection and bonding.
The Gatekeeper of Pericael distinguishes itself within the middle-grade fantasy genre. It combines themes of friendship and personal growth within a creatively crafted magical setting, appealing to young readers who relish stories where ordinary characters rise to extraordinary challenges.
Pages: 189 | ASIN : B08QZW7Y8Q
The Fearless Dragon Heir
Odriel’s Heirs follows a sheltered young woman with the power of flame who has to learn to control her gift and save humans that have cast her out. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Odriel’s Heirs was my first book, so by the time I sat down to write it, I’d been thinking about the story for years. I’ve always loved chosen one stories, but I really wanted to show how the reality of a chosen one could be extremely difficult and burdensome. Honestly, I can see seeds of inspiration from so many of my favorite childhood books and TV shows sprinkled in this story: Sabriel by Garth Nix, X-men, and even Dragon Ball Z. I love the idea that Kaia has a gift that is difficult to use and, in a time of peace, made her an outcast instead of a hero. But then when she finally has a chance to become a hero like she always dreamed, it is more heart-breaking and nightmarish than she could have ever imagined.
Kaia comes into her gift as the Dragon Heir at a time when people felt it was not needed or wanted, till disaster strikes. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
As a teenager, I read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, in which Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote, “A man who is warm cannot understand a man who is freezing,” and it really stuck with me. I think in times of peace, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to imagine what we would have to do or endure in times of violence or war. And, many times, I feel like rather than confront these scary or uncomfortable thoughts or possibilities, people would rather avert their gaze from reminders of those difficult truths. In the world of Okarria, Kaia is definitely one of these uncomfortable reminders, and her people spurn her for it, but I love how that doesn’t steal her desire to fulfill her role and protect those people. Although she often doesn’t feel like the fearless Dragon Heir she’s meant to be, the fact that she accepts this mantle on behalf of her people really shows her true strength and courage.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the strongest themes in this book, and the series as a whole, is that even when we’re at rock bottom, at the end of our rope, we’re still capable of so much more than we believe. And though Odriel’s Heirs is full of danger and battles, it is the mental struggle with Kaia’s own confidence she must win if she wishes to survive. Kaia must come to terms with her shortcomings and her strengths and as such, she has to learn to have faith in both those around her and herself in order to come to her full potential. Although Odriel’s Heirs is an epic fantasy novel, Kaia’s coming-of-age underscores her every challenge, and it was so fulfilling to really watch Kaia grow from the self-conscious sheep-girl into a legendary Dragon Heir.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes! Odriel’s Heirs is a trilogy with stand-alone entries linked by two novellas. The first book, Odriel’s Heirs, follows the Dragon Heir. Burning Shadows, a follow-on novella, links the story to the second book, Idriel’s Children, which follows a Shadow Heir of the next generation. Then, Night of Ash, another follow-on novella, links the narrative to the final book, Time’s Orphan, which follows a Time Heir. Time’s Orphan will be released on Feb 8th 2023 and the series will be complete! It’s been such a joy to embark and complete this epic adventure, and I’m so thankful to all the readers who’ve joined me along the way! Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you enjoy Odriel’s Heirs!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
5th place finalist in the 2021 Book Blogger Novel of the Year Awards.
The brave, burning with fire, harnessed the Dragon’s Rage….
As the Dragon Heir, seventeen-year-old Kaia inherited the power of flame to protect her homeland from a godlike necromancer’s undead army. But after centuries of peace, the necromancer has faded to myth, and the Dragon Heir is feared by the people. Persecuted and cast out, Kaia struggles to embrace and control her seemingly useless gift while confined to her family’s farm.
But when the necromancer’s undead terrorize the land once again, Kaia runs away to join the battle.
With the help of her childhood rival, the handsome Shadow Heir, and a snarky, cursed cat, Kaia must figure out how to control both her fire and her confidence in time to save Okarria. If she fails, she will sacrifice her family, her new friends, and the enchanting world she has only just begun to see.
And time is running out.
Odriel’s Heirs
Odriel’s Heirs by Hayley Reese Chow follows a young girl named Kaia. As the first Born of her siblings, she inherited the fire of the dragon. She has three siblings, her twin Bram, younger brother Layf and younger sister Elani. She lives somewhat of a sheltered life because the surrounding villagers believe they are evil. As she starts exploring society, she comes close to some dangerous obstacles. Her father is away fighting a war that she believes she can assist in. Once she realizes that a necromancer has unleashed lost souls onto the humans, she believes it is her duty as the dragon heir to help keep the humans safe. She wants nothing more than to prove that she is strong and a good person to her family and the outside world.
Odriel’s Heirs is a gripping epic fantasy novel from start to finish. The flow of the story was both entertaining and exciting; I was hooked throughout the entire story. The characters are well thought through, and they bring the story alive. The main character is strong-willed and brave, someone a teen girl can look up to and admire. Kaia’s character is one reader can’t help but feel bad about at times because of how she is treated by others for the gift she inherited. However, despite her obstacles, she never losses sight of her goals and always looks for a way to persevere. The secondary characters are written just as well and add additional layers to this fantastic story.
Hayley Reese Chow has combined paranormal and fantasy genres in this adventure for young adults in Odriel’s Heirs. The journey that the author takes readers on is creative and unique. It was definitely one of those books that take you out of the real world and into a new fantasy and amazing dystopian world that you can’t help but get lost in.
Pages: 198 | ASIN : B0838R4DTB
LITERARY TITAN 