Seven Faceless Saints

Product Information

Once the original concept for “Seven Faceless Saints” established, how did you build a plot around it? The book is a one-part political thriller and mystery, one-part slow-burn romance and one-part spiritual exploration of the power of faith, adorned with lush prose, gripping characters with hidden talents, religious imagery, dark magic, and intricate lore that seems to have something for every reader to cling to as the dark turns and will certainly keep you turning the pages till the end. Paste: I’m always a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers romance like Damian and Roz – what do you think it is about that particular trope that keeps us coming back to it? Be prepared for publishing to hurt your feelings – because I guarantee it’s going to at some point – but remember that it’s okay to hope, too. As I said, there were a lot of drafts, and I ended up adding and removing stuff over and over again.

She was older than Damian—probably in her mid twenties—but was a slip of a thing, with dark hair and a darker gaze. As they unravel the mysteries behind the murders, they will discover that there’s something far more sinister—and far less holy—lurking beneath the surface. Tasked with finding the disciple’s killer, Damian’s investigation leads him to Roz, his childhood friend turned enemy. It offers an optimistic spin to the story with a fiercely independent and strong leader-at-heart female protagonist, one who everyone loves to watch. I always enjoy learning authors’ stories of how their books go from abstract ideas to tangible products to becoming legacies.That said, it likely comes as no surprise that my debut novel Seven Faceless Saints contains the perspectives of both main characters as their paths converge after three long years apart. Forte had occupied his position for little more than a year, having been selected by the guilds’ representatives to replace his predecessor. Whether the characters are rivals, mortal enemies, or simply two young people who can’t seem to get along, you can inject it into my veins. Magic plays a quiet role in this story, and readers may for a time forget there is anything supernatural going on.

Online articles about the case and interview transcripts are provided throughout, and Pip’s capstone logs offer insights into her thought processes as new evidence and suspects arise. You need to find an agent who’s interested in your concept, and passionate enough to help you revise it. Then two unfavored children are murdered, and the Palazzo ignores their deaths—yet a disciple’s murder requires Damian’s investigation.I can’t say a whole lot, but you’ll definitely see more of the secondary characters, and you’ll get to see Damian become a bit unhinged. Inspired by Guilds of Florence, the new, dark YA fantasy “Seven Faceless Saints” transports us to the magical world of Ombrazia which is built around the worship of seven gods, who have each gifted their descendants—known as “disciples”—-with specific kinds of magic. Paste: And my absolute favorite question I love to ask — as, an author, what are you reading and enjoying right now? Everyone believes that Salil Singh killed his girlfriend, Andrea Bell, five years ago—except Pippa Fitz-Amobi. A thin serving boy about Damian’s age appeared in the door- way, clad in the slate-gray uniform of Palazzo staff.

A lot of the comments on privilege and exploitation in the book arose from the idea of those historical guilds and what it might feel like to be on the “outside,” so to speak. Lobb has crafted an intricate world that is both dark and alluring; the perfect backdrop for the tempestuous romance of the two protagonists. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strongand to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. Despite it all, his expression was peaceful, the curve of his mouth soft, as if he’d resigned himself unflinchingly to death. So don’t be afraid to let yourself have dreams and allow yourself to be upset when things don’t go your way.

For me, having both Kate and Corwin’s perspectives is key to understanding how their complicated history informs their present interactions. I’d say my writing “voice” lies somewhere between YA and adult, and in this case leaning towards the former made sense—-especially because Roz and Damian were very much older teens in my head. I really had to think about what I wanted to include, and how I was going to include it in a way that fits into the narrative. I also knew I wanted two characters on completely different sides who got brought together by this mystery. Through their very different perspectives, we see how Wes and Margaret directly influence each other’s character development.

The prejudice that people faced – and still face – when they don’t subscribe to the dominant belief system, and the rage that comes from feeling helpless in the face of something like that heavily influenced it. Lobb: I had already written quite a few manuscripts by the time I wrote this book, and none of them had been successful. What happens when lovers are separated by war and then unexpectedly reunited in a world of saints, criminals, and just enough danger to leave everyone unsettled? What I did know was that I wanted a darkly lush world, an enemies-to-lovers romance, a belief system I could work to unravel, and characters I could pour my whole self into. She should be able to sense the chemicals in Leonzio’s veins—a partial autopsy with no incisions required.Lacy Baugher Milas is the Books Editor at Paste Magazine, but loves nerding out about all sorts of pop culture. Then you need to find an editor or publisher who feels the same way and can pitch it to their team in a way that allows them to make an offer. Were this self-imposed,” Forte continued, “it would mean Palazzo security hadn’t failed to protect a top government official. With an impressive and balanced command of gorgeous prose and compelling pace, Seven Faceless Saintsdraws its readers into a mystery as intelligent as it is intriguing.