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Queen of Deception follows a woman who dies and comes back to life as a child with all her memories from her past life, into the world of her favorite fantasy novel. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Reincarnation has always been an interesting subject for me. I even have it as a part of my Helena Hawthorn series. There is just something about the idea of being reborn into a new life after death that I absolutely love.
The inspiration for Queen of Deception came from feeling listless during the pandemic. I was pregnant with my first son and on a publishing hiatus. In Asian countries, it is a much more explored subject, and there is plenty of media that covers it. So, I dived head-first into Japanese Manga, Korean Manhwa, Light Novels, and Anime. At some point, I could not find what I wanted and decided to write a story of my own, telling the tale of morally grey characters that do not revolve around only romance.
Since I have always been a fan of Fantasy, it wasn’t hard to put together Emilia’s new world. What was difficult was all the research, which is still ongoing, that comes with the story.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
I wanted each of the characters to have their strengths and flaws.
Emilia is strong-willed, determined, and kind to those she deems close to her, but she has also lived through years of abuse and is bitter from that horrible experience. It is very hard to reach her heart.
Laurence is a character who takes life as it comes, but deep down, he resents himself for the life he lives. I always find his emotional journey surprising with each book.
And lastly, Prince Thessian—he is a guardian of the Hellion Empire his family has built and maintained. He is a man who had to wear the masks of a perfect prince and a brutal conqueror who’s willing to make sacrifices. Yet, when he comes to learn more about the darker side of his family, he, too, evolves from his strict mindset.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main focus is found family. I want my characters to find their place in the world while discovering themselves, their limitations, and possibly even changing their goals along the way.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
After the slaughter of the Dante Royal Family, Emilia takes on the role of Queen with the support of the enemy nation’s prince. With aligned goals and a promise to help Thessian become Emperor, Emilia has her work cut out for her, especially since she is not the only one with royal blood in the kingdom. At the same time, she believes that joining Thessian’s side is the best course of action to save the fantasy novel in which she was reincarnated.
In Queen of Ashes (Book 2), she uncovers a sinister plot against her and a secret long hidden by the former king. So, Emilia does what she does best—she fights back with everything she’s got while trying to balance the royal lifestyle, politics, greedy nobles, and uncooperative subordinates.
I won’t go into any more detail as that may spoil the story for some.
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Emilia died. She thought it was all over but then she opens her eyes and realizes she’s a child with all the memories of her past life and her eidetic memory intact.
Not just that. She’s now living in a medieval world that resembles her favourite fantasy novel—The Cruel Empire. Instead of being a main character, she’s reborn into the role of a princess fated to die before the age of eighteen.
As years go by, and she realises she’s not waking from a dream, she settles into her new life with only a goal in mind—survival.
Having years ahead of her before her new life is cut short, Emilia pulls the strings and builds a network of friends that will help her with her goal—stop Prince Thessian from killing her with the rest of her despicable family and make him her ally.
If she can do this, she can rule to improve her kingdom’s conditions and support Thessian’s goal to become emperor of the neighbouring empire.
But when a side character messes with the main plot, what will happen to Emilia’s future now that she has no idea of what other events she has set in motion?
Find out in Queen of Deception, a thrilling Fantasy Novel by May Freighter.
Queen of Deception (Empire of Shattered Crowns Book 1)
Prepare to embark on an enthralling journey through a realm where second chances aren’t what they seem in Queen of Deception by May Freighter. In this spellbinding tale, Emilia, upon her untimely demise, awakens as a child in a medieval world, her memories intact. Death, it turns out, is just the beginning of her extraordinary adventure. As Emilia adapts to her newfound existence, she discovers that this world mirrors the one she adored in her cherished novel, The Cruel Empire. The lines between reality and fiction blur, creating a captivating backdrop for her struggle to survive and rewrite her destiny, pitting herself against the menacing Prince Thessian.
May Freighter’s debut in the Empire of Shattered Crowns series is nothing short of a literary gem. Queen of Deception delves deep into themes of past and present lives, inviting readers to ponder the tantalizing possibility of reshaping fate. But what truly sets this novel apart is its exceptional world-building. Freighter’s vivid imagination transports us effortlessly to a bygone era, leaving us spellbound by her creative prowess. Just when you think you have the story figured out, unexpected twists and complications arise, courtesy of a side character’s actions. This unforeseen turn of events injects a delightful dose of complexity into the plot, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the ripple effects of Emilia’s choices. While some may yearn for more character development and depth, it’s essential to remember that Queen of Deception is just the series opener. This leaves us with an exciting promise of growth and evolution in the installments to come. A standout feature of this book is the clever use of alternating points of view, granting us insights into different characters’ perspectives as they navigate the same events. This multifaceted storytelling enriches the narrative and adds depth to the overall experience.
Queen of Deception immerses readers in a meticulously crafted medieval world brimming with dark fantasy allure. May Freighter’s masterful world-building and narrative finesse make this book a must-read for anyone craving a thrilling and thought-provoking adventure. Embrace the unknown and prepare to be captivated by the magic woven into every page of this remarkable tale.
Pages: 236 | ASIN : B0C7WJVRYK
LITERARY TITAN 