Author Interview: Abigail Carter on Betrayed

Q: Welcome, Abigail! Can you tell us a little about your latest release, Betrayed?

Betrayed is the first book in my YA fantasy series, The Lower World Rises. It follows Alessandra King, a Hybrid/Witch who’s been raised at Angelis Academy to be a ruthless demon Hunter. Ale is feared and hated for her mother’s dark legacy, and she spends much of her life trying to control a power she doesn’t fully understand.

When the Soulless threaten to attack, she’s chosen to lead a group of misfit warriors to defend her academy. For the first time, she finds a place where she truly belongs. But everything changes when Luca, a mysterious new student from the Human Realm, arrives and triggers Ale’s visions of war, betrayal, and destruction. As she digs deeper, Ale uncovers devastating truths about her family, her powers, and the Empire she was raised to protect.

It’s a story about identity, generational curses, and the blurry lines between good and evil. At its heart, Betrayed is about finding your place in a world that says you don’t belong, and deciding who you really want to be when the truth shatters everything you thought you knew.

Q: Alessandra King faces hatred for her blood and a haunted past. What drew you to her story?

The biggest aspect of the story for me is Ale breaking generational curses. In her story this is dark magic, uncontrollable powers, and prophecy. In my life it was addiction, mental health, and a broken family. In telling Ale’s story I tell a portion of mine and how she is hopefully able to break free of those curses and live a different life than what is laid out for her. 

Q: Your book blends YA fantasy with action and suspense. How do you balance world-building, character development, and plot twists?

I’ve had Ale’s story in my head since I was a little girl so I know exactly where she's going and where the story will end. For me the rest happens naturally as Ale’s story unfolds.

Q: Without spoilers, what’s one scene in Betrayed that you’re most proud of?

I don’t think there’s a particular scene that I’m most proud of but I am proud of the little easter eggs and subtleties that are laced throughout the story. I can’t wait to see what readers pick up on. 

Q: Relationships are central to many fantasy stories—what relationship in this book did you enjoy writing the most?

I enjoyed writing the platonic relationships more than anything else so far. Ale is really figuring out her sexuality in this book as you’ll see she’s drawn to different genders and even different species. So, as she’s learning herself her platonic relationships are really her rock. Specifically Nora as she evolves from an annoying classmate to her best friend. 

Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing Betrayed?

Definitely self doubt and second guessing myself! I read constantly (obviously) and when I would read something really good (like anything Sarah J. Maas) I would just get this overwhelming feeling that I could never create something as amazing and feel defeated. I still get that feeling sometimes but I also really believe in her story so I keep writing! 

Q: If Betrayed were adapted into a movie or series, who would you dream-cast as Alessandra and the main supporting characters?

My mind immediately goes to actors who would be far too old for the roles now!! So my unhinged, never-going-to-happen dream-cast would be…

Ale- Ana de Armas, Luca- Matthew Daddario, Zevian- open to suggestions because I don’t know anyone who fits such a perfect specimen, Ace- Caleb McLaughlin, Orion- Sang Heon Lee, Zachariah- Ross Butler, Gold- Madeline Petsch, Nora- Ariel Winter 

Q: What do you hope readers feel when they finish the book?

I hope readers will be dying for the next book! The second book will take place in a different country, exploring a long lost species and even more secrets for Ale to discover. There will also be multiple POVs in the second one which I’m most excited for! 

Q: What inspired you to start writing, and what drives your storytelling?

I relate to Ale in a lot of ways; she had a tough childhood and her family or lack thereof was disappointing at best. I started writing when I was eleven years old and going through these things firsthand- writing and coming up with stories was my only escape. I found it was a way to cope with what I was going through even If I had no idea that’s what I was doing at the time. 

Q: What’s next for you and your upcoming projects?

Currently I’m working on the second book in the installment called Cursed AND working on a new series that will be set many years after the end of The Lower World Rises. I’m super excited for both! 

Q: Where can readers connect with you online?

• TikTok & Instagram: @abigailcarter_author
  
  

• Facebook: Abigail Carter Author
  
  

• Amazon: Betrayed
  
  

• IngramSpark: Betrayed
  
  

 

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Fun & Unique Questions

Q: If Alessandra had a theme song, what would it be?

This is How Villains are Made 

Q: Which side character secretly deserves their own story?

The Royals! 

Q: If your characters could step into the real world for a day, what would they do first?

I think Ale would go to therapy!! 

Q: What’s the most emotional or surprising scene you wrote in Betrayed?

There are quite a few betrayals in this book that really wreck Ale. One of them was planned from the start while the other kind of just happened naturally and even I was surprised! They are both heart wrenching!! 

Q: Which fantasy trope or element did you have the most fun exploring in this book?

I loved exploring the love triangle aspect. Each of her love interests speak to a facet of her personality and as that changes and evolves, her love interests do as well. 

 

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Rapid Fire Round

(Answer with the first thing that comes to mind!)

• Coffee or tea? Coffee
  
  

• Early bird or night owl? Night Owl
  
  

• Favorite writing snack? Popcorn
  
  

• Favorite fantasy creature? Dragons
  
  

• A book you could read over and over? Anything Abby Jimenez
  
  

• Music while writing: yes or no? No
  
  

• Dream travel destination? Japan
  
  

• One word to describe Betrayed? Survival