Blog Archives
A Unique Spin
Stolen Histories follows two best friends working to sabotage corrupt institutions who find themselves in a high-stakes heist involving dragons, haunted landscapes, and the looming power of the imperialist Empire. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The first thing I ask when I’m writing something is, ‘Would I enjoy reading this?’ All the situations my characters end up in—from the heists, dragons, and hauntings—are things I love reading about. My biggest inspirations are other stories, like Six of Crows or The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, along with looking at my characters and asking, ‘What kind of trouble can I get them into?’
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
My inspiration for the world of Avalon came a long time ago—I thought it would be interesting to have a world where magic is the norm, and not having magic is considered the old wives’ tale. A lot has come from that single idea. I wanted to create my own magic system and world setting while also not being so confusing that no one can follow what’s going on. This is how I ended up with Singers, Scribes, and the like. Initially, I thought of doing a D&D-inspired world, or bringing in gods/creatures that already exist in stories, but ended up discarding that for a unique spin of my own. Now, I have Nightbloods, Sun Eaters, and whatnot. There’s so much worldbuilding I’ve done that the first book doesn’t even touch, so I’m excited to continue the series!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Bigger themes like imperialism, colonialism, and rebellion were important to me since they will be explored throughout the whole series. But on a character level, themes like identity, grief, belonging, ambition, and family really bring the whole book forward. Each character has their own journey to go on, and I try to do that justice.
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?
This is the first book! Stolen Histories is the start of a six-book series, The Infinite Night Saga, and while I’m not sure when the second book will be finished, it is well on the way. I’m sure it will be done sometime next year, which is exciting for me to think about. What fans can expect is more heists, found family, and struggles against a power-hungry empire!
Author Links: GoodReads | Bluesky | Website | Amazon
A girl in over her head is after a stolen artifact, two master thieves are leading a crew to reclaim lost treasures, and their team is anything but ordinary-some of them shouldn’t even exist. With shaky loyalties, dangerous magic, and an empire tightening its grip, their plan is held together by luck and desperation. They might just pull it off… if the world-or they-don’t tear them apart first.
In this story about secrets, family, and good old-fashioned heists, a ruthless empire hoards stolen history, and a daring crew is reckless enough to take it back. But in a game where power is everything and disaster is inevitable, the difference between a successful job and a fatal mistake might come down to who’s willing to risk it all.
Stolen Histories
Stolen Histories is a fierce and immersive fantasy novel that follows the exploits of Amari, a magical seer and outlaw, and her best friend Taliya, a world-class thief and wardbreaker. Together, they live in a gritty, magical city named Castor, a place alive with haunted craters, floating trains, and social inequality. The story kicks off with the duo sabotaging corrupt institutions and snowballs into a high-stakes heist involving dragons, haunted landscapes, and the looming power of the imperialist Apolon Empire. At its heart, the novel blends thrilling action with deep emotional undercurrents and a strong thread of rebellion against colonial power structures.
I loved the writing. Michaels has a gift for character voice and atmosphere. The world-building is rich without being bogged down by info-dumps. The city of Castor felt lived-in and layered, like something out of Blade Runner with a magical twist. The dialogue was snappy and genuine. And the pacing—God, the pacing! It rolls like a freight train. One minute I’m chuckling at Amari’s sarcasm, and the next I’m holding my breath as she charges a dragon with nothing but grit and a well-timed incendiary. It’s chaotic in the best way. The narrative structure switches perspectives smoothly, adding depth without confusion. There’s always the sense that these characters lived whole lives before page one, and I respect that.
That said, the book isn’t just action for the sake of it. What hit me hardest was the emotional texture—Amari’s quiet grief, Taliya’s loyalty wrapped in bravado, the way their world erases voices like theirs, and how they steal those voices back with every job. The politics aren’t subtle, and that’s the point. Colonization, cultural theft, surveillance, and resistance—Michaels doesn’t pull punches. And yet, the story never loses its warmth. The queer joy, the found family, the relentless resilience—it all feels like a fist raised high. If I had a critique, it’d be that the lore occasionally verges on dense, especially the magical classification systems. But the energy of the story carries you through.
This book is fire. If you’re into heists, sharp-tongued women with secrets, or rebellion served with banter and blood magic, you need to read this. Stolen Histories is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, N.K. Jemisin, or anyone who ever rooted for the morally gray underdog. It’s fun, it’s furious, and it’s got heart for days.
Pages: 590 | ASIN : B0F3NQGSCH
LITERARY TITAN 