Author Interview: Shelby Oval on Out of Embers and Shadows

Q: Shelby, your book dives deep into war, betrayal, and uneasy alliances. Can you introduce us to Lora and what makes her such a compelling heroine?

Unfortunately, Lora is not the heroine. She is morally gray and begins to realize throughout the book that she might actually be a villain, which of course rattles her. But it does not stop her from being herself - since there really isn’t anyone else she’d want to be anyway. While she’s coming to grips with the fact that she might be a war criminal she does start to realize that she could maybe, just maybe, turn her life around. I think the duology of good and evil that rages within her is one we have all felt before - doing the wrong things for the right reasons… except we probably haven’t committed atrocities on her level. 

Q: Relationships are at the heart of every great fantasy—can you tell us about the key dynamics between Lora and the characters she meets along the way?

Lora has never had anyone in her life that she has cared about or who has cared about her except for her friend Kacey - who gets beaten and kidnapped when they are teenagers. O to enter into a unit that treats each other with respect and kindness is something literally out of this world for her. She is drawn to several of the cadre that offer her unconditional support and love and its been so fun to write those relationships blossoming. Small warning - in book three (which is being written now) shit hits the fan with some of those people sooooo….. Yeah, sorry in advance. 

Q: Without spoilers, which relationship surprised you the most while you were writing?

I genuinely cannot answer that but I will say that as I wrote book two and now book three the characters have decided things for themselves that I did not see coming. I know that sounds crazy to say but it’s true. I just hope no one hates me for how they want their stories to be told.

Q: How do love, loyalty, and betrayal weave together in Out of Embers and Shadows?

The same way they do in life. They are always interconnected because without loyalty in love there will always be betrayal and without love in loyalty you cannot help but betray someone. I think the blurring of what is considered betrayal and what isn’t when it comes to loyalty to oneself and one's values is where the real fun lies.  

Q: If Lora had to choose between forging trust with an enemy or protecting herself at all costs, what do you think she’d do?

In OES I think she is still in self preservation mode. She has spent her life being abused and used and neglected and so when she is offered a chance to escape that reality she will seize it - not because she trusts the other person, but because freedom is something her survival and sanity depends on. 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the relationships in this story—romantic or otherwise?

A huge underlying current in all the books I write is unconditional love - whether it's between friends, family, or partners. I hope that my readers, as they continue with Lora’s journey, begin to understand that concept. Love should not have to be earned - trust, yes - but love, true love, is freely given and maintained. 

Q: What can you tease about where these relationships might head in the next installment?

I don’t want to give anything away but let's just say not everything is as it seems. These characters really do whatever they please and boy do they have some things in store for the readers! 

 

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Fun & Unique Questions

Q: Which character would be most likely to betray someone first—and who would be least likely?

Lowkey it depends on what betrayal means to you… I think Nuva would not hesitate to kill Lora if she thought it would protect Kalon or Kierra, but I think the same of Lora towards anyone who would hurt Kacey. 

Liam is an angel. He must be protected at all costs THOUGH he does follow orders. 

Q: If your characters had to live in our modern world, who would thrive and who would be completely lost?

Lora and Nuva would be arrested for disorderly conduct for sure. I think Kierra would thrive but be downright distraught at all the wars and refugee issues. Liam would find modern medicine to be an absolute wonder and I think Garrison would end up being a psychologist or something. Lord knows what Kalon would do… 

Q: Which side character is secretly begging for their own book?

Ortega. I think gouging out your own eyes so as to not be used by the temples for your gift of prophetic sight is something not many could or would do. 

Q: If you could ship Lora with any hero from another fantasy series, who would it be and why?

I think what Lora truly needs in a life partner is not something that is often written into fantasy books…but if I had to I would say Creon from Lisette Marshall's Court of Blood and Bindings

Q: What’s the most emotional scene between two characters that you wrote in this book?

There is a scene where she just gets to feel pretty and she has never had that chance before. She also gets to sing and dance and be a person - not a weapon - and that was really beautiful to write. 

 

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Rapid Fire Round

(First thing that comes to mind!)

• Friend or foe?

• foe
  
  

• Light or shadow?

• shadow..duh

• War or peace?

• Peace if its true but rarely is that possible
  
  

• Secret softie or hopeless romantic?

• Secret softie
  
  

• A fantasy book you could read over and over?

• Whichever throne of glass book it is where Rowan and Ailen hug in the streets - I read it as my comfort scene
  
  

• Favorite fictional villain?

• Achilles’ hubris in Song of Achilles. Or Jafar, fucker was creepy as hell.
  
  

• Dream travel destination (real world)?

• My goal is to lick all the ancient wonders of the world - I only have Babylon left.
  
  

• One word to describe Out of Embers and Shadows?

• Yikes.