Darkness Divinity-Angela Rita

October 30, 2025

✨ The Weekly MAsh: Written Q&A with Angela Rita ✨

Hi Angela! We’re so excited to have you here on The Weekly MAsh! Let’s start with a fun one: if Princess Ellia could have a signature drink (coffee order, cocktail, or magical potion), what would it be?

Hi! Thank you for having me! I think saying Ellia’s signature drink would be her magic suppression tonic is a little too on the nose so let’s go with an Irish breakfast tea, no milk and EXTRA honey!
For readers just meeting you—how would you describe Darkness and Divinity in three words?
Banter, tension, and adventure

Ellia has been hiding her magic all her life until her suppression tonic fails. What inspired you to explore the idea of hidden powers suddenly breaking free?

I wish I had a more interesting answer to this question. One of the first scenes I wrote was of Ellia sitting at her open bedroom window, uncaring of the violent rainstorm soaking her gown because she was so worried about her uncontrollable power. That image came to me and just went with it!
You’ve paired Ellia with a dashing soldier and a clever witch—what was the most fun part about writing their dynamic?

They all push Ellia in different ways, like any good friend should. Writing the banter between Ellia and the soldier, Cian, was a lot of fun. The witch, Kereina, didn’t even like Ellia at first so finding those moments where her softer side came out I really enjoyed.
Your book mixes royalty, magic, and a looming dark force. Did you build your world first, or did Ellia’s story come to you first?

It really went hand in hand. I knew some of Ellia’s story and some aspects of the world I was creating like the magic system and some of the societal struggles and I let each side built off of each other.

What drew you to romantasy as your genre? Was it always the plan, or did the story naturally take you there?

I initially set out to write a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel (which is a WIP that I may or may not eventually pick up again) but I fell in love with reading romantasy and liked the idea of creating an entirely made up world.
Every writer has quirks—what’s your go-to writing snack or ritual when you sit down to work on a book?

I almost always turn on instrumental Celtic music while writing. If I can, I like to go to my local coffee shop to write. Romanticizing the whole writing process by putting myself in a cozy cafe with a latte and a little sweet treat helps my determination to be productive.
Were there any scenes in Darkness and Divinity that surprised you while writing—maybe the characters took control in a way you didn’t expect?

Definitely! The introduction of one of my favorite characters did not happen the way I thought it was going to!

If Darkness and Divinity was turned into a movie, who would you fan-cast as Ellia, the soldier, and the witch?

Ellia would be played by Nicola Coughlan, Kereina would be played by Zoe Kravitz, and Cian would be played by Richard Madden.
Imagine you’re stranded in Ellia’s world for 24 hours—what’s the first thing you’d do?

If I’m in her world as one of the Fae I would immediately try to figure out whether or not I possess magic since fae females having power is outlawed. Is my life in immediate danger? If I have magic, the answer is yes.
What’s a trope you secretly adore as both a reader and writer, even if it’s a little cliché?

Enemies to lovers. I feel like everyone says that but it’s just so good!

Can you give us any hints—will Darkness and Divinity be part of a series, or do you have new projects already brewing?

It is part of a series! Though I can’t say if it will be a duet or a trilogy because I don’t know the answer to that yet myself!
What’s one thing you hope readers take away from Ellia’s journey after turning the final page?

Sometimes it’s best to just let it be…sometimes it’s not. Take control of your life.

Morning or night writing?

Most of the time, night writing
Coffee, tea, or tonic? 😉

Coffeeeeee!!!
Plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between?

Somewhere in between
Favorite book you’ve read this year?

The Good Girl Effect by Sara Cate and the Saint View Murder Squad series by Elle Thorpe
One word your friends would use to describe you?Loyal