www.scifiguy.ca has an interview with Gail Z. Martin author of The Chronicles of the Necromancer.
I’ve been a fan of the fantasy writing of Gail Z. Martin since I first read The Summoner (2007) followed by The Blood King (2008) and most recently Dark Haven (Apr. 2009). The books are part of a series called The Chronicles of the Necromancer.When Gail approached me to be part of her 2009 Days of the Dead Tour to celebrate the forthcoming release of the next book in the series, Dark Lady’s Chosen (Dec. 29, 2009 from Solaris books), I was anxious to participate.
SFG: For those unfamiliar with the Chronicles of the Necromancer, can you give us a brief overview of the series and where Dark Lady’s Chosen fits in the scheme of things?
GAIL: The Chronicles of the Necromancer series includes four books so far: The Summoner, The Blood King, Dark Haven and Dark Lady’s Chosen. The story begins when a young man’s family is murdered, and he discovers that he is heir to a very rare type of magic, the ability to intercede between the living and the dead. He needs to learn to control that magic before it destroys him in order to avenge his family. I’ve really written two two-book sets. The Summoner and The Blood King are one story arc, where the focus is on unseating Jared the Usurper and taking back the throne. Just because you solve one set of problems doesn’t mean that there aren’t bigger problems looming just over the horizon. Dark Haven and Dark Lady’s Chosen are a new story arc continuing on with the characters right after The Blood King and they carry the story forward with the aftermath.
SFG: The series includes the vayash moru (vampires) and vyrkin (shapeshifters). Can you tell us something about the origin of the names and how they are the same/different from other vampires and shapeshifters?
GAIL: I came up with the names because I wanted people to give a fresh look at vampires and shapeshifters without locking into the old expectations, and I think that’s easier to do when we call them something else. The names just sounded good to me. I liked the feeling they gave me. My vayash moru become vampires in the usual way. However, in the Winter Kingdoms, vayash moru are openly acknowledged as real, although they’re not always welcome. That sets up an interesting dynamic in that if vayash moru remain part of the extended family and part of the community, how does that change society? The same is true of the vyrkin. Now my vyrkin don’t have to change at the full moon. However, because mortals have heard the tales about the full moon, vyrkin have often been persecuted by the full moon, and for those who have experienced trauma at that time, a full moon can bring on an involuntary shift, sort of like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. With my vyrkin, you’re either born one or your not—you don’t become one by being bitten. Both the vayash moru and the vyrkin have a choice as to how they used their enhanced ability, so they’re not automatically monsters. They have the choice, just like mortals, whether to behave monstrously or not.
More of this interview here
I like that she has given the vampires and shapeshifters a different name, the plot of the books sounds interesting and the covers are really great. What do you think of this interview? Had you heard of The Chronicles of the Necromancer before?
